Capitals 4, Devils 0: Captain Alex Ovechkin scored a highlight-reel goal to end his four-game drought and Braden Holtby posted his 13th career shutout as visiting Washington extended its point streak to eight contests (6-0-2).

Nicklas Backstrom tallied twice and added an assist while defenseman Mike Green also scored for the Capitals, who have won three of their four meetings with New Jersey this season. Jay Beagle and blue-liner John Carlson each notched two assists while Holtby turned aside 21 shots for his second blanking of the season as Washington completed a 2-0-1 road trip.

Cory Schneider made 17 saves in his league-leading 31st start for the Devils, who fell to 1-4-2 over their last seven contests. New Jersey dropped to 1-2-0 on its four-game homestand that concludes Tuesday against Carolina.

With Washington already owning a 2-0 lead in the third period, Ovechkin carried the puck down the right wing and toe-dragged it between his own skates while sneaking around Devils defenseman Jon Merrill. The superstar then lifted a backhander past Schneider while falling to the ice at 7:16 to give the Capitals a three-goal advantage.

Green opened the scoring 3:08 into the second period with a blast from the top of the right faceoff circle that found its way past a screened Schneider and into the top left corner of the net. Backstrom doubled the lead with 3:22 left in the session, receiving a drop pass from Beagle and firing the puck off the right post and in from the left circle, before completing his second multi-goal effort in four games with an empty-netter late in the third.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ovechkin was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped from behind on a breakaway by New Jersey D Marek Zidlicky 3 1/2 minutes after his goal but was unable to convert and fell to 2-for-10 on such opportunities over his career. ... Washington improved to 8-1-2 versus Metropolitan Division rivals this season. ... The Devils have scored three goals or fewer in each of their last nine games (2-5-2). ... Schneider has lost four straight decisions.