NHL: Atlanta 2, Washington 0

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Kari Lehtonen posted 36 saves and rang up his third shutout of the season Saturday in a 2-0 Atlanta Thrashers victory over Washington.

Todd White and Marian Hossa scored for the Thrashers, who have won three straight -- and were playing a second straight game without injured forward Ilya Kovalchuk (right-knee).

Kovalchuk leads the team in goals (38) and points (64). He is expected to return to action next week.

Olaf Kolzig made 11 saves on 12 shots for the Capitals, who have lost three of their last five games.

The game was scoreless until White scored for the Thrashers at 11:34 of the third period. Hossa scored on an empty net with just under 40 seconds left to play.