The Washington Capitals ended 2011 with a bang. For the first time since mid-October, the Caps have won three straight games. a streak that they will look to extend to four in their first game of 2012 against the Calgary Flames Monday at Verizon Center.

Saturday, Washington defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 after scoring four unanswered goals in the third period. Alex Ovechkin had two, while Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman added the others to give the Caps their first three-game winning streak since mid-October.

Tuesday, the Caps will play their second of four straight games against Western Conference opponents. The Flames have not played at Verizon Center since March 2010. Last season, the Caps defeated the Flames 7-1 in Calgary; Nicklas Backstrom had four points (one goal, three assists). Washington will try to stop Jarome Iginla from becoming the 42nd player in NHL history to score 500 goals; he is one goal away.