WASHINGTON (AP) — Brady Tkachuk scored his team-leading 15th goal and added an assist, Connor Brown also had a goal and an assist and the Ottawa Senators completed a long-awaited 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Alex Formenton and Adam Gaudette added early goals as the Senators jumped to a 2-0 lead after the first period, en route to snapping a 10-game losing skid against the Capitals overall and a nine-game slide in Washington.
Chris Tierney had two assists. Anton Forsberg made 33 saves in Ottawa's first victory in Washington since Jan. 21, 2014.
Nicklas Backstrom scored in the second period for the Capitals, who have now lost five straight in regulation at home and 11 of 17 overall.
Ilya Samsonov stopped 22 of the 26 shots he faced for Washington, which is not yet in jeopardy of missing the postseason despite their recent struggles.
The Capitals hold an 11-point lead over Detroit for the second Eastern Conference wild-card payoff berth and are three points back of the New York Rangers for the third automatic berth in the Metropolitan division.
STILL SHORT ON POWER
Despite the victory, the Senators went a sixth consecutive game without scoring on the power play (14 opportunities, this time despite playing a total of 1:50 of 5-on-3 hockey across two separate chances.
It's Ottawa's longest such drought in terms of games this season.
NOTES
Senators: RW Austin Watson served the first half of a two-game suspension issued for his hit on Boston defenseman Jack Ahcan, which resulted in an interference minor in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Bruins. ... Brown recorded his 200th and 201st career points. ... RW Parker Kelly was recalled from AHL Belleville before the game and played on the fourth line.
Capitals: RW Tom Wilson received a 5-minute fighting major for grappling with Ottawa C Nick Paul after he leveled D Thomas Chabot behind the Ottawa goal. ... LW Alex Ovechkin picked up his 31st assist on Backstrom's goal and is on pace to reach the 50-assist threshold for the first time since the 2010-11 season. ... Ovechkin has gone eight games since adding to his team-leading total of 29 goals.
UP NEXT
Senators: Host St. Louis on Tuesday night.
Capitals: Begin a four-game road trip at Nashville on Tuesday night.
