For the first time in almost seven months, Nicklas Backstrom scored a goal, one which helped the Capitals earn a 2-1 lead over the Senators after 20 minutes.
The Senators thought they had taken an early 1-0 lead on the power play as Jason Spezza put the puck past a scrambling Tomas Vokoun, Yet, the goal did not count as the referee ruled that Milan Michalek interfered with Vokoun in the crease.
The Caps, however, did not miss on their first power play chance. After failing to set up in the offensive zone for most of it, the Caps finally settled down. Mike Green sent the puck from the point to Mike Knuble behind the net. Knuble found Alexander Semin in front. Semin then sent a quick pass across the crease to Backstrom, who was all alone for the tap-in for his first goal of the season at 8:47. It was Backstrom's first goal since March 22, including the playoffs.
Marcus Johansson added to the lead at 12:01 when he took Mike Knuble's pass all the way as he sped through the offensive zone and beat Alex Auld with a wraparound goal. It was Johansson's second goal of the season.
The Senators were able to cut the lead in half as time ran out in the period. Peter Regin took advantage of a loose puck in front of the net and fired a sharp-angle wrist shot past Vokoun for his first goal of the season at 19:34.
Shots are 14-8 in favor of Washington.