MONTREAL -- James Black scored in the first period and Rick Tabaracci's 29 saves made it stand up as the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 Saturday night.
Tabaracci's second shutout of the season gave the Capitals their second straight win. Washington's record at the Molson Centre improved to 6-0-1.The loss ended Montreal's three-game winning streak, which started when Mark Recchi was traded last week. Jeff Hackett, making his 14th straight start, made 20 saves.
The Capitals moved within seven points of the Boston Bruins for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens are six points back.
Washington outshot Montreal 9-4 in the first period but was outshot 25-12 over the final two periods.
Tabaracci made two solid stops on Benoit Brunet late in the second period. First, Tabaracci threw his blocker in front of Brunet's shot from the slot and later he got a pad on Brunet's shot from in front.
IN OTHER GAMES: The San Jose Sharks and the Boston Bruins tied 2-2; the Nasvhille Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins tied 1-1; the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Rockies tied 5-5; the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1; and the Ottawa Senators defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-2.