WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Jaromir Jagr scored in his return and Peter Bondra had two power-play goals during a four-goal second period Friday night, carrying the Washington Capitals past the Montreal Canadiens, 4-1.
Jagr had not played since suffering a knee strain against the New York Rangers on Oct. 10 but came back after signing a five-year contract extension Thursday that made him the highest-paid player in hockey.
Bondra forged a 1-1 tie 1:07 into the second period, scoring off a faceoff just two seconds into Washington's third power play of the game.
Jagr made his presence felt 49 seconds later on a breakaway, outracing a defender before beating Jose Theodore with a backhand high to the stick side.
Trevor Linden scored with the man advantage at 6:22 after Montreal's Sheldon Souray was called for roughing, making it 3-1. Bondra assisted on Linden's goal and capped the superb second period less than seven minutes later, again scoring off a faceoff just four seconds into a power play.
Bondra has six goals and three assists in a five-game points streak.
Montreal had killed 34 consecutive power plays to open the season, including two in the first period Friday.
The Canadiens' Chad Kilger had a penalty shot 12:08 into the third period but shot the puck over the net.
Olaf Kolzig turned aside 28 shots, allowing a goal to Patrice Brisebois midway through the first period. He improved to 4-2-0 and won for the third time in four starts.
Theodore's record fell to 1-2-1 and he was replaced after the second period by Jeff Hackett, who stopped all nine shots he faced.
The Canadiens have lost consecutive games after going unbeaten through their first five. They allowed more two goals for the first time this season.
