Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images

The Capitals beat the Canadiens 3-2 Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The win raised the Capitals record to 35-11-6 (76 points). The Capitals next head home to host the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. Puck drop is High noon. 

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals. Carey Price got the start for the Canadiens. This was the third matchup between the two goalies this season.

Jakub Vrana and Taylor Chorney were the healthy scratches.

This was John Carlson‘s 500th game.

QUICK NOTES

• Today (2/4) was the deadline for all goalies to begin wearing the new, streamlined goalie pants, as mandated by the league.
• Caps have scored the first goal of the game in 14 of their last 16 games.
• The Caps are 29-4-4 when scoring the games first goal.
• The Capitals third and fourth lines were the most effective lines in this game.
• Braden Holtby had an excellent game.
• Barry Trotz earned his 693rd career win to pass Dick Irvin (692) for sixth on the NHL’s all-time list among head coaches.
• Nicklas Backstrom scored the game-winning goal and leads the Capitals with 15-37—52 this season (52 GP).
• The Capitals improved to 12-0-2 in their last 14 regular-season road games vs. MTL dating to Nov. 28, 2009 (MTL: 2-10-2).
• The League-leading Capitals (35-11-6, 76 points) improved to 15-2-1 in their last 18 contests.

FIRST PERIOD
The Capitals struck first on a filthy wrister from the slot by Jay Beagle at 3:02 of the opening frame. The goal was setup by a nice centering feed from Daniel Winnik.

The game was delayed at the 5:16 mark of the opening frame for a hole in the dasher boards behind the Capitals goal. The delay lasted for over 10 minutes.

After play resumes, the Canadiens would tie the game on a goal by Alexander Rodulov at 7:32 of the first period. The goal was setup by a turnover by Nate Schmidt in the defensive zone.

The first period would end with the game tied 1-1. The Capitals led in shots on goal 12-7 after the first 20 minutes of play.

SECOND PERIOD
The Capitals would regain the lead on a goal by Andre Burakovsky at 9:26 of the middle frame.

The period would end with the Capitals leading 2-1. The Capitals led in shots on goal 24-12 through two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
The Capitals would stretch their lead to 3-1 on a power play goal by Nicklas Backstrom at 5:16 of the final frame.

The Habs would get it right back on a goal by Max Pacioretty at 7:32 of the final frame.

The Capitals would hang on for the 3-2 win.

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps

SCENES FROM MONTREAL

The boys! #CapsHabs #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/8V6MQvc0Ry

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2017

And we’re off! #CapsHabs underway from Bell Centre. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/QadW8NPkwU

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2017

500 games! Congrats, @JohnCarlson74! #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/tA5lTsat08

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2017

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