The Washington Capitals exacted revenge for their fallen teammate and then added insult to injury.
After Matt Hendricks fought Rene Bourque, the Caps scored two goals to give them a 2-0 lead over the Montreal Canadiens after 20 minutes.
As was expected, the Caps sought retribution for Nicklas Backstrom when Hendricks dropped the gloves with Bourque, who knocked Backstrom out of the lineup with an elbow January 3 as a member of the Calgary Flames, just 1:15 into the game. Hendricks and Bourque fought to a draw as both landed several punches before Bourque fell on top of Hendricks at center ice.
Mathieu Perreault further antagonized Montreal with his fourth goal of the season and first since October 22 at 4:41. Cody Eakin started the rush as he passed to Dmitry Orlov, who then found Perreault cutting into the offensive zone. Perreault had enough space to aim a far side wrist shot that beat Carey Price top shelf over his blocker.
Marcus Johansson extended Washington's lead to 2-0 at 8:23 when he outmuscled Andrei Kostitsyn in the slot and got a wrist shot off that Carey Price could not stop. It was Johansson's 10th goal of the season.
Michal Neuvirth, making his first start of 2012, made seven saves. The Caps have two goals, but only five shots on goal.