Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Michal Neuvirth recorded his first career shutout by stopping all 29 shots he faced as Washington downed Carolina, 3-0, at RBC Center.
Nicklas Backstrom tallied twice in the third period and Matt Hendricks also scored for the Capitals, who have won six of their last eight.
"I thought that was easily our most complete game," Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Everybody did a good job."
Cam Ward allowed two goals on 32 shots for the Hurricanes, who dropped their home opener after going 4-3 on a season-opening road trip.
The Capitals finally gave Neuvirth some breathing room with 7:37 to play in the contest, when Mike Knuble's right-circle shot deflected off Ward right to Backstrom for a one-timer in the slot.
Backstrom added a short-handed, empty-net score with 1:28 remaining.
Washington took a 1-0 lead just after the midway point of the first period. A John Erskine left-point shot hitDavid Steckel at the edge of the crease, causing him to fall into Ward. While on the ice, Steckel dished over to Hendricks for a successful backhander, despite protests of illegal contact.
Each netminder halted 11 shots in a scoreless second period.
"It's one of those nights where it was tight," Hurricanes forward Eric Staal said. "We thought we were going to break through with one and get this crowd going, but it was unfortunate that it didn't happen."
It was the Capitals' first road shutout against the Hurricanes since Carolina's 1997 move from Hartford...The last Caps blanking on the road against the franchise occurred on March 20, 1995, a 5-0 decision at the Hartford Civic Center...Caps star forward Alex Ovechkin had his goal drought extended to five games.