BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Braden Holtby made 31 saves and Alex Ovechkin scored to lead the Washington Capitals over the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 on Monday night for their eight straight win.
Ovechkin scored 19 seconds into the second period and Jay Beagle scored about 12 minutes later to help the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals improve to 27-6-2, the best start in franchise history.
Washington has earned a point in 15 of its last 16 games and trails the Dallas Stars by one point for the NHL lead.
Holtby got his 22nd career shutout and second this season.