In the first of back to back games against Western Conference opponents, the Washington Capitals are off to a solid start. Brooks Laich scored on the Capitals second power play of the period, a too many men on the ice call against the host St. Louis Blues, on a rebound of a Nicklas Backstrom shot that came from the right circle at 8:12.
The goal came against Blues starting netminder Jaroslov Halak, who was instrumental in the Montreal Canadiens' stunning first round upset of the Capitals in last season's playoffs, allowing just three goals in the last three games of the series.
Laich mentioned before the game that he was "indifferent" about the supposed revenge factor against Halak since he is no longer a member of the Canadiens. Laich, though, did say he wouldn't mind getting a goal against Halak.
Semyon Varlamov, who is making his fourth straight start, was fantastic in the first period, stopping all 13 St. Louis shots, including one dynamite stop on a late first-period power play for the Blues where Varlamov stopped Brad Boyes on a rebound chance from the bottom of the right circle.
Varlamov also thwarted two 2 on 1 chances for the Blues on the Capitals' first power play opportunity.