NHL: Minnesota 2, Washington 1

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ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Niklas Backstrom carried a shutout deep into the game Thursday and stopped 21-of-22 shots while leading Minnesota to a 2-1 victory over Washington.

Washington made its sixth trip to Minnesota since 2000 and has lost them all.

Chuck Kobasew scored 7:48 into the game and Mikko Koivu gave the Wild a 2-0 lead by scoring on the power play with just 16 seconds remaining in the second period.

The Capitals were blanked until Alex Ovechkin produced his fifth goal of the season with 1:36 to go. That kept Washington from being shut out for what would have been the first time in 61 regular-season games.

Michal Neuvirth, one night after recording his first career shutout, gave up the two goals on just 17 shots.

Koivu has at least one point in all but one of Minnesota's nine games this year.