The goal was reviewed and allowed.

The Senators' Jarkko Ruutu covers up as the Capitals' Alex Ovechkin blasts away on Monday night at Scotiabank Place.

Photograph by : Wayne Cuddington, The Ottawa Citizen

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Washington's second goal was deflating to the home team -- a crease pass tip in with just 29 seconds left in the opening period, sending the Senators to their dressing room down a goal.

Recent callup Jay Beagle of Calgary picked up a nifty souvenir -- the puck from his first NHL goal -- after beating Elliott on a second period wrist shot to push the Caps lead to 3-1.

Were the Capitals tired after playing three games in four nights? Maybe. The Senators made them pay -- as they have to a lot of visitors lately.

Unsung hero

Quietly, Chris Kelly has been playing a stellar two-way game. Don't look now but the checking centre is tied in points with that $5-million guy, Alex Kovalev (10).

Kelly now has two goals and eight assists, and the goals came consecutively against Pittsburgh and Buffalo after a career-high 18-game scoreless drought. That's why Kelly uncharacteristically pumped his fist when he beat Marc-André Fleury on a breakaway, after Kelly emerged from the penalty box.

"It was a good feeling," Kelly said. "I haven't celebrated like that after a goal for a while. It had been so long since I contributed with a goal. That was the longest (drought) of my career."

Fans sometimes forget role players get just as big a kick out of lighting a red goal light as Ovechkin does.

"Everyone loves scoring," Kelly says. "You don't grow up to be a defensive forward. It was never my goal when I was seven or eight to become a checking forward. But I've gotten where I am because of my defensive play, and because I think I'm responsible in my own end, and when I can chip in offensively, score goals or make plays it's a bonus."

Happy 90th Mrs. M

Rhoda Murray, matriarch of the Shawville Murray clan that includes sons Bryan Murray, GM of the Senators, and L.A. Kings head coach Terry Murray, celebrates her 90th birthday today.