The Washington Capitals (4-0-0) continued their strong start to the 2011-12 National Hockey League season, remaining unbeaten in four games with a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators (1-4-0) at the Verizon Center Saturday night.
Nicklas Backstrom scored a power play goal in the first period, his first goal in almost seven months, and Marcus Johannson netted his second goal of the season in the first period as well to give Washington a 2-1 lead. The lead, and score, held for the rest of the game thanks to the real star of the game, Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun.
Vokoun stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced, outdueling Alex Auld of Ottawa, who allowed two of the 26 shots he faced to find the back of the net. After allowing one goal on eight Ottawa shots in the first period, Vokoun stopped all 26 shots he faced in the second and third periods.
Washington will look to continue their early season winning ways when they face the Florida Panthers (1-1-0) at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night at the Verizon Center.