Neuvirth, Backstrom Pace Capitals

For the longest time tonight, a Matt Hendricks tally was the lone goal in the Washington Capitals' battle with the Carolina Hurricanes. But Nicklas Backstrom scored twice in the final stanza to give the visitors a hard-fought 3-0 victory tonight at RBC Center. It was the red, white and blue's first shutout since a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on March 6 (with Jose Theodore in net).

Michal Neuvirth was spectacular again in registering his first NHL shutout, stopping 29 Carolina shots and never really letting them threaten too harshly. Hendricks' goal, meanwhile, was his first of the season and only the 10th of his NHL career. Backstrom's second and third of the season showed some signs that the center and his linemates (Mike Knuble and Alex Ovechkin) might be heading back in the right direction.

The game also steadied the Caps a bit, coming off a series of games when they fell behind and never looked too interested. The Caps worked well throughout, played smart, disciplined hockey and earned two-points in the first game of a three-game set.

They're back at it tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center against the Minnesota Wild (8 p.m., CSN-HD). The question is whether Neuvirth will be back between the pipes or Braden Holtby will earn his first NHL start.