Braden Holtby makes one of his 33 saves against former Capital Alexander Semin. Holtby shut out the Hurricanes for a 3 - 0 win.

Ovie congratulates Holtby following a 3 - 0 shut out victory over the Hurricanes at the Verizon Center

Nicklas Backstrom scores against Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward at 7:21of the 1st period putting the Caps ahead 1 - 0

John Erskine celebrates his goal at :31 seconds into the 2nd period with teammate Eric Fehr

The Caps give the Verizon center crowd a stick salute following a 3 - 0 win over the Hurricanes

Alex Ovechkin sits on the bench prior to the start of the game vs the Hurricanes

Capitals coach Adam Oates appears to have the Caps back on the right track following a 3 - 0 shut out over the Carolina Hurricanes

Braden Holtby makes a save vs the Hurricanes on his way to a 3 - 0 win

Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin square off in front of the Hurricanes net

Mike Green returned to the ice in a 3 - 0 win over the Hurricanes

Ovie skates to the bench after Backtrom's goal put the Caps ahead 1 - 0 vs the Hurricanes

Nicklas Backstrom comes to the bench after his 1st period goal put the Caps ahead to stay

The Caps celebrate John Erskine's goal that put the Caps ahead 2 - 0 at :31 seconds into the 2nd period

Jason Chimera tries to tip the puck in front of the Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward as Hurricane's defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti defends

Joel Ward is stopped at point blank range by a glove save by Hurricane's goalie Cam Ward during the 2nd period

John Erskine is taken down by the Hurricanes Tim Wallace. Wallace got 2 minutes for boarding on the play

Mike Ribeiro shoots during the pregame warmup