Washington, DC-It's been a rather timid affair here at the Verizon Center after two periods. The game remains 0-0 and neither team has managed to assert themselves in terms of chances. Thus far, it's been a battle of the net-minders as Michal Neuvirth has 27 saves and Antti Niemi has posted 13 stops.
The Caps killed off the final :39 seconds of the John Erskine penalty to continue their stellar work on the penalty kill this season. But as the period wore on, San Jose began pull away in the shot department, forcing Neuvirth to make several difficult saves.
David Steckel mishandled a breakaway chance with under two minutes to go in the period. He deked to his left, but the puck slid away before he could get a chance to beat Niemi.
Alex Ovechkin has just one shot in 13:40 of ice time while the Sharks top trio of Patrick Marleau, Joe Thorton, and Dany Heatley have combined for nine shots.
Alex Semin had another quiet period in his return to the lineup. He attempted three shots, but they were all either blocked or missed the net. He has been on the ice for 10:10.