Green leads Caps to victory

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Mike Green had a goal and an assist, and Michal Neuvirth stopped 28 shots as the Washington Capitals beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Sunday night in the pre-season finale for both teams.

Corey Crawford had 32 saves for the Blackhawks (2-4-1).

Washington's Mathieu Perreault made it 1-0 by poking in the rebound of Green's shot at 11:18 of the first period. Brooks Laich made it 2-0 five minutes later.

Marian Hossa cut the Blackhawks' deficit in half less than a minute later when he knocked in his own rebound during a power play.

Chicago's Peter LeBlanc received a match penalty for a hit to the head of Capitals forward Alexander Semin at 12:37 of the third period. A slashing penalty on Hossa gave the Caps a 5-on-3 advantage, and Green beat Crawford with just over three minutes to play.

Jay Beagle added a short-handed, empty-net goal.

LeBlanc will likely be the next player suspended by new NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan after he has an automatic hearing for his match penalty.

Chicago rested several regulars, including forward Jonathan Toews and defencemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Washington was without centres Matt Hendricks and Jeff Halpern.

The Blackhawks will open the regular season Friday at Dallas. The Capitals (3-3-1) will host Carolina on Saturday.