Sens Topple Caps

Capitals roster

"The most important thing is to be playing well going into the playoffs," Alfredsson said. "It showed we can play against one of the best teams in the league. This was a great game after a poor road trip. We were solid all over the ice tonight. It was a picture perfect game for us from start to finish."

Lalime was the surprise starter after Tom Barrasso, who was scheduled to make the start, was pulled at the last minute after suffering a bruised index finger during warmups.

"When I found out I was going to play, I was a little nervous," Lalime said. "I tried not to think too much about it. I just wanted to concentrate on getting a good start. I didn't have many shots at first, which helped me get in a groove. The guys played great in front of me, that's the way we want to play in the playoffs."

The Capitals remain two points behind New Jersey for the lead in the Eastern Conference. Washington has lost three of their last four games.

"I don't know if we understand the urgency," Capitals coach Ron Wilson said. "Basically, we're giving up home ice here. Our defense was awful. Some guys just don't get it. They didn't show up tonight."

Ottawa remains mathematically alive in the race for the Northeast Division title, trailing idle Toronto by five points with just three games remaining.

"We really wanted to come out strong tonight," Alfredsson said. "They are a possible playoff opponent, so it was a big game. We actually played better defensively rather than offensively. It didn't matter to us who was in goal, our mindset was to come out and have a good game."