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Canadiens keep Capitals winless

Jan 25, 2013 - 3:44 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Carey Price made 30 saves to help the Montreal Canadiens in a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

Andrei Markov had a goal and an assist while Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges all lit the lamp for the Canadiens, who have won their past two games.

Michal Neuvirth gave up all four goals on 22 shots for the Capitals, who have dropped all three of their games this season. Joey Crabb scored late in regulation to spoil Price's shutout bid.

"I would say some of our mistakes are pure effort," said Washington head coach Adam Oates. "It's very upsetting. I'm not pushing the panic button, but obviously it's upsetting. We're pros, you've got to be a pro, and you've got to do your job."

It was a scoreless game after 20 minutes, but the Canadiens broke the contest open in the middle session.

Skating on a 5-on-3 power play, Raphael Diaz blasted a shot from the left point that was stopped, but the rebound came out to the slot. Markov one- touched the pass over to his right where Plekanec one-timed it in just 3:47 in.

Less than a minute later on another power play, the Habs made it a 2-0 game as a right point shot from Max Pacioretty was stopped, but Markov was at the left side to put home the rebound.

Montreal continued to pour it on and made it a 3-0 game four minutes later when Rene Bourque fought his way into the zone down the left wing and from the deep boards he centered it for a one-timer by Gionta.

It was a 4-0 game with 1:39 to play in the second after a slap shot from Gorges at the right point made its way through a screen.

"We took advantage of our power play, especially in the second period, and the power play gave us a chance to win this hockey game," said Montreal head coach Michel Therrien. "We were pretty solid too 5-on-5 and at the time where we needed the [penalty] kills, guys sacrificed themselves to kill those penalties, so it was a good team effort."

Crabb scored with 2:23 left in regulation to spoil Price's chance at his 17th career shutout.

Game Notes

Montreal hosts New Jersey on Sunday ... Washington plays in New Jersey on Friday ... Washington won all four games against Montreal last season and had taken seven of eight coming into Thursday's contest.