Sports

Backstrom's shootout goal gives Capitals first win in San Jose in 2 decades, 3-2

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Washington Capitals' Patrick Wey, right, battles for the puck with San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau (12) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Saturday, March 22, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

Washington Capitals' Karl Alzner, left, lunges for the puck next to San Jose Sharks' Brent Burns (88) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 22, 2014, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

Nicklas Backstrom scored the winning goal in the shootout to lead the Washington Capitals to their first win in San Jose in more than 20 years, 3-2 over the Sharks on Saturday night.

Eric Fehr and Chris Brown scored in regulation for the Capitals, who had lost 11 times and tied once since winning their first game at the Shark Tank on Oct. 30, 2003. This is only Washington's second win in its last 19 games overall against San Jose.

Braden Holtby made 34 saves in his first start since March 6 in place of the banged-up Jaroslav Halak.

Patrick Marleau and James Sheppard scored for the Sharks, who missed a chance to clinch their 10th straight playoff berth. Antti Niemi made 23 saves.