Early goals stand up as Caps clip Blue Jackets

Tom Wilson and Sonny Milano scored first period goals, leading the host Washington Capitals to a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

Charlie Lindgren, making his second start of the season, made 35 saves for his first victory.

Washington improved to 2-0-0 when leading after two periods. The Capitals have now won four of their last five games. Washington has won four of five meetings with Columbus since last season.

Dmitri Voronkov responded for Columbus, while Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves in the loss. The Blue Jackets have lost five of six.

Columbus outshot Washington 13-8 in the opening 20 minutes, but it was the Capitals who held a 2-0 edge.

Wilson opened the scoring at 12:21 of the first period, shooting a rolling puck up and over the left shoulder of Merzlikins for his third goal in four games.

Milano made it 2-0 at 17:21 of the opening period. The former Blue Jackets forward put home a Nick Jensen feed past Merzlikins for his second of the season.

Wilson received a penalty shot 6:17 into the first period after being hooked by Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson on a partial break. Merzlikins made a left-pad save to keep the game scoreless.

Columbus got on the board 1:38 into the second period as Voronkov deflected a Kirill Marchenko shot past Lindgren. The Blue Jackets rookie has two goals and two assists through his first five NHL games.

Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk left the game in the first period after sustaining a lower-body injury and did not return.

Blue Jackets left-winger Johnny Gaudreau was benched for much of the third period. Gaudreau, who has one goal and four assists this season, did not have a shift in the final 16 minutes.