LAS VEGAS (AP) – Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 26 shots for his first shutout with Vegas, William Karlsson scored during a three-goal first period and the Golden Knights beat the Washington Capitals 3-0 on Saturday night.
Fleury was perfect in his 699th career game and eighth since being selected by Vegas in the expansion draft.
Alex Tuch and Oscar Lindberg also scored in the first period for Vegas, which went 4-0-1 on this homestand and has a point in nine straight games.
Washington Capitals center Jay Beagle, right, and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) vie for the puck after it was blocked by goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington was 4-0-1 in its past five games and 8-1-1 in its last 10, but the Capitals lost their second in two nights, including a defeat to the Coyotes.
The Capitals had scored at least four goals in six of their previous nine games and hadn’t been shut out since a 2-0 home loss to Toronto on Oct. 17 – the only other time they’ve been blanked this season.
Tuch opened the scoring by tapping in Brendan Leipsic’s rebound for his eighth of the season. Lindberg then took a pass from Tomas Nosek and punched in his seventh. Finally, Karlsson slapped a one-timer past Braden Holtby.
It could have been worse for Washington. Tuch’s goal came moments after Leipsic missed on a breakaway, Jon Merrill had a solid attempt from the right slot that Holtby stymied, James Neal had two great looks and Jonathan Marchessault clanked a shot off the crossbar.
Holtby looked like the only rested player from a team that lost to the Coyotes in overtime the night before. He finished with 25 saves.
The Knights improved to 15-2-1 at home. Their 15 home wins are tied for the most in the NHL with Tampa Bay. Vegas and the Lightning are the only two teams in the league with three or fewer losses at home this season.
NOTES: Vegas C Cody Eakin got his 100th assist. … Reilly Smith is one game away from the 400th of his career. … Capitals coach Barry Trotz, who has 735 career wins, remains one victory away from tying Lindy Ruff for fifth on the NHL’s career wins list.
UP NEXT
Washington: At the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.
Vegas: At Anaheim on Wednesday night.
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Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, left, checks Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky, left, skates around Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Colin Miller during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) is hit on the face by the stick of Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Nosek (92) falls over Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate after Vegas right wing Alex Tuch, second from left, scored against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Tomas Nosek, center, celebrates after center Oscar Lindberg, left, scored against the Washington Capitals during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) and Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) vie for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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