Barrett, Laughlin Help Capitals Beat Canadiens, 5-4

John Barrett and Craig Laughlin scored within a 34-second span to key a four-goal second period that sent the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 National Hockey League victory over the Montreal Canadiens Monday night.

Laughlin also added an assist for the Capitals, who won their second game of the season while handing the Canadiens their first loss in four starts.

Alan Haworth, Dave Christian and Michal Pivonka also scored for the Capitals. Mats Naslund scored twice while Larry Robinson and Stephane Richer added goals for Montreal.

The Canadiens dominated the first few minutes of play and scored at 5:34 when Robinson took a drop pass from Naslund at the blue line and drilled a low slapshot past Bob Mason for his first goal of the year.

Montreal scored again at 16:28 when Ryan Walter took control of the puck behind the Washington net and sent it to Kjell Dahlin, who sent it to the slot to Richer. Richer fired a low shot past Mason on the glove side for his third goal in two games.

The Capitals scored 34 seconds later when Haworth took a pass from Bob Carpenter on a two on one and flipped a shot over Patrick Roy’s glove shoulder.

Washington came out forcing the play in the second period and ended up dominating the period as it outshot Montreal, 12-2.

The Capitals tied the game at 4:37 when Christian scored on the rebound of Laughlin’s shot after Roy failed to cover up.