MONTREAL -- Washington's Michael Nylander scored a third-period tiebreaker but it was Simeon Varlamov who stole the show, the rookie netminder making 32 saves to lead the Capitals past the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 on his NHL debut.
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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) checks Montreal Canadiens' Josh Gorges (R) into the boards during the first period of NHL hockey action in Montreal December 13, 2008. [Agencies]
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With the score tied at 1-1, Nylander clinched the win with a backhander for the Southeast division-leading Capitals with 2:32 remaining in the Eastern Conference encounter on Saturday.
The Russian-born Varlamov, called up from minor league Hershey on Friday, allowed only a second-period goal by Montreal's Patrice Brisebois.
Nicklas Backstrom's power-play goal off assists by Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin had given Washington a 1-0 first-period lead before Brisebois leveled the score.