Ward scores twice, Capitals down Flames

Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Joel Ward scored twice and the Washington Capitals defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Saturday night.

Nicklas Backstrom also lit the lamp and Braden Holtby made 20 saves for the Capitals, who have won three of their last four games.

Dennis Wideman netted the lone goal for Calgary. Karri Rammo stopped 27 shots in defeat.

The game was tied 1-1 before Ward backhanded home Michael Latta's feed from behind the net 5:41 into the second.

Karl Alzner found a streaking Backstrom down the middle of the ice and he fired a wrister past the glove of Rammo just 41 ticks into the third.

Earlier, Ward's unassisted tally on the power play came after a Calgary turnover, as he snapped a low shot underneath the glove of Rammo a little past the midway point of the first.

Wideman's equalizer came with just 10 seconds left in the first. He found twine when he fired a slap shot from the high point to tie the game.

Game Notes

Both teams were 1-for-3 on the power play ... Ward has four goals on the year, while Wideman has five ... Washington visits Vancouver on Sunday and Calgary hosts Montreal on Tuesday.