WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom each had a goal for the Washington Capitals Saturday in their 4-1 win over New Jersey.
In the clash between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, Matt Bradley and Mike Green also scored for the Caps in support of Michal Neuvrith, who made 29 saves in goal.
Rod Pelley had the lone goal for the Devils and Martin Bordeur faced 40 shots on goal.
The victory moved Washington into the overall lead in the Eastern Conference over the Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins. New Jersey had won its four previous meetings with the Caps this season.
Ovechkin, who also had two assists, opened the scoring at 4:09 with a goal off a faceoff. Bradley made it 2-0 at 13:54, but Pelley grabbed a loose puck and made it 2-1 with 2:42 to play in the period.
Backstrom scored in the second period and Green added the fourth Washington goal early in the third.
