Capitals 1 - 0 Jets
Final
  for this game

Ovechkin's late tally lifts Caps past Jets

Dec 16, 2011 - 5:24 AM Winnipeg, MB (Sports Network) - Alex Ovechkin's tally with 1:14 left in regulation was the winner, as Washington edged Winnipeg, 1-0, at MTS Centre.

Michal Neuvirth stopped 26 shots to record his first shutout of the season for the Capitals, who have won three of four.

"The guys played hard, blocked shots, and did the little things that it takes to win and that's why we won tonight," Capitals head coach Dale Hunter said.

Ondrej Pavelec was the hard-luck loser, making 27 saves for the Jets, who have lost two of three.

Nicklas Backstrom fueled the deciding score by gaining control of the puck in the neutral zone and feeding ahead for Marcus Johansson.

The young Swede carried into the Winnipeg zone on the right wing but dropped the disc for Ovechkin, whose rocket one-timer from the bottom of the circle zipped through Pavelec's pads.

"I made a mistake," Pavelec said. "They took a pass in the last minute and made a good play and scored a goal. ... Tough game, tough loss but it is what it is."

Winnipeg failed to solve Neuvirth despite a 14-7 shot advantage in the first period, then Pavelec was unbeaten on 12 Capitals chances in the second.

Game Notes

Neuvirth recorded his fifth career whitewash...Jets forward Jim Slater played in his 400th NHL Game...Washington had lost four in a row on the road against the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise...Thursday marked the Capitals' first road shutout against the Thrashers/Jets since a 5-0 result on December 16, 2003...Washington's previous shutout decision at Winnipeg came on February 19, 1988, by a 6-0 score.






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