Ciccarelli Scores Twice as Capitals Top Canadiens in a Battle of Leaders, 4-1

Dino Ciccarelli scored two goals as the Washington Capitals won their fourth straight game by beating the Montreal Canadiens, 4-1, Friday night in a battle of division leaders.

Dale Hunter and Ciccarelli scored 3:18 apart early in the second period, and Ciccarelli and Mike Ridley scored 2:05 apart early in the third to give Washington a 4-0 lead.

Bobby Smith scored with 7:38 remaining to deprive Pete Peeters, who stopped 20 shots, of his fifth shutout of the season.

Washington increased its Patrick Division lead to three points over Pittsburgh and four over the New York Rangers with eight games left. The Capitals have won five in a row at home and six of seven overall, with the lone loss coming March 8 at Montreal.

The Canadiens, who have clinched first place in the Adams Division and lead the overall NHL standings with 105 points, had won four of their last five games and were 11-2-1 in their previous 14.