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Caps win sixth straight as Holtby blanks Oilers

Mar 10, 2011 - 5:06 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Rookie Braden Holtby recorded his first shutout, while Alex Ovechkin and Eric Fehr both scored twice in the red-hot Capitals' 5-0 rout of the Edmonton Oilers.

Holtby started in place of Michal Neuvirth, who was injured in Monday's victory against Tampa Bay, and made another strong impression.

Against the Lightning, Holtby took over after the first period and made 21 saves before stopping three Tampa Bay skaters in the shootout.

Then on Wednesday, the 21-year-old turned aside all 22 shots he faced to help Washington win its sixth consecutive game. Alexander Semin also scored for the Capitals.

"It's nice just to be able to not have to worry in the last five minutes that it's a one-goal game," said Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau.

Nikolai Khabibulin allowed all five goals on 36 shots for Edmonton, which was coming off Tuesday's loss in Philadelphia.

After a scoreless first period, Ovechkin got the Capitals on the board 5:38 into the second, thanks to a good play by Jason Arnott during a power play.

The veteran forward, acquired from New Jersey last month, made like he was going to shoot from the right point. Instead, he sent a crisp pass to an open Ovechkin to the left of the crease, and Ovechkin fired the puck past Khabibulin.

Ovechkin had a breakaway chance with about 11 1/2 minutes left, but Oilers defenseman Alex Plante appeared to hook his left skate. Ovechkin fell forward and offered a harmless poke shot, but no penalty was called.

The Capitals, however, got their second power-play goal a few minutes later.

Khabibulin made the save on a shot from the right point, but defenseman Tom Gilbert deflected the long rebound back toward the goal with his skate. Fehr stood just outside the crease, in perfect position to stuff the puck in the net with 9:28 remaining.

Ovechkin's tip-in only 3:10 into the third period made it a 3-0 game, and Fehr netted his second of the game nearly five minutes later. Semin scored his 25th goal of the season with 5:30 to play, and Holtby needed to make only five saves in the third period to finish his shutout.

Game Notes

Ovechkin recorded his first home power-play goal since March 28, 2010...Edmonton is 1-2-0 on its five-game road trip, which continues Friday in Detroit...The Oilers were 0-for-4 on the power play...Holtby was playing in his 10th career game (eighth start).