Capitals Vs. Canadiens: Shootout Win Leaves Washington Alone In 8th

Matt Hendricks and Alexander Semin scored goals in the shootout and the Washington Capitals moved alone into the 8th and final playoff spot with a 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at Verizon Center.

Washington's win, coupled with Buffalo's 4-3 loss to Toronto, means that the Capitals are two points ahead of the Sabres in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Each team has three games remaining. Washington travels to Tampa to play the Lightning Monday, while Buffalo hosts Toronto Tuesday night.

The Capitals also pulled within two points of Florida for the Southeast Division title, though the Panthers still have a game in hand.

Montreal finished the game outshooting Washington 40-33, and Michal Neuvirth was called into action several times to deny the visitors scoring opportunities. One of the best came as the buzzer sounded to end regulation, as Neuvirth had to swat away P.K. Subban's quick one-timer with his stick.

For more on the Washington Capitals, visit SB Nation's Capitals blog Japers' Rink. For more on the Montreal Canadiens visit SB Nation's Canadiens blog Habs Eye On The Prize. For more on the NHL in general visit SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub.

Capitals Vs. Canadiens: Tomas Plekanec's Goal Brings Montreal Even, 2-2

Tom as Plekanec's goal with 5:29 left in the second period has pulled the Montreal Canadiens back from a 2-0 deficit and into a 2-2 tie with the Washington Capitals after 40 minutes of play in Chinatown.

In general, Montreal had the better of Washington in the second period, outshooting the Caps 14-10 in the frame. Plekanec's goal itself was a beautiful piece of stickhandling as the Montreal player broke in from the right wing, swerved around his former teammate, Roman Hamrlik, and finished past Michal Neuvirth into the roof of the net.

The Capitals entered Saturday night's game tied with Buffalo for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race ahead of Buffalo. The Capitals have the tiebreaker by virtue of having more wins in regulation and overtime.

For more on the Washington Capitals, visit SB Nation's Capitals blog Japers' Rink. For more on the Montreal Canadiens visit SB Nation's Canadiens blog Habs Eye On The Prize. For more on the NHL in general visit SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub.

Capitals Vs. Canadiens: Caps Lead Habs, 2-1 After One Period

A late goal by Erik Cole spoiled a nearly-perfect first period for the Washington Capitals, but they still lead the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 after 20 minutes at the Verizon Center.

Mathieu Perreault helped the Capitals break in front with just 4:16 gone in the first period. After Alexander Semin's initial shot was blocked, the Russian winger collected the loose puck and slid a pass to Perreault, who was steaming down the slot. The goal was Perreault's third in four games this season against Montreal.

Jay Beagle put the Capitals up 2-0 at the 16:10 mark as the Capitals finished off a 3-on-1 break with Beagle scoring from close range after a centering feed by Matt Hendricks. Washington nearly saw the period to its conclusion, but Cole scored his 32nd goal of the season with 22 seconds to go as he tucked in a rebound of a missed Max Pacioretty shot.

For more on the Washington Capitals, visit SB Nation's Capitals blog Japers' Rink. For more on the Montreal Canadiens visit SB Nation's Canadiens blog Habs Eye On The Prize. For more on the NHL in general visit SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub.

Canadiens Vs. Capitals Game Time, TV Schedule And More

With Nicklas Backstrom's status for the game up in the air, the Capitals will look to move into sole possession of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot if they can beat the Montreal Canadiens at home.

Head Coach Dale Hunter Confirms Nicklas Backstrom Will Be In Lineup Saturday Night

The Washington Capitals will be getting a huge addition as they battle to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Center Nicklas Backstrom, who has missed the last 40 contests after suffering a concussion on January 3 in a game against the Calgary Flames, will play Saturday night when the Capitals host the Montreal Canadiens at the Verizon Center. Backstrom confirmed Saturday morning he would play, and now head coach Dale Hunter has chimed in as well.

Via the team's official twitter feed:

#Cap head coach Dale Hunter confirms that #Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the lineup tonight against Montreal. #CapsHabs

— Washington Capitals (@washcaps) March 31, 2012

Washington will look to build on the momentum of their vital 3-2 shootout win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, in which they earned two points to keep the heat on the Buffalo Sabres in the playoff chase.

For more on the Capitals, visit Japers Rink. For more on the rest of the league, visit SB Nation's NHL hub.