WASHINGTON -- The playoff-bound Chicago Blackhawks were coasting, and the out-of-it Washington Capitals were trying to act like a team that still had heart. The result was a late-season game with a preseason feel, noteworthy for Alex Ovechkins NHL-leading 51st goal and a shutout from the goalie who was seemingly skittish about facing his former team earlier in the week. Ovechkin and the Capitals beat the Blackhawks 4-0 on Friday night, an impressive-looking result that didnt mean much. Washington still isnt going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, and Chicago is locked into finishing third in the Central Division. "Theyre getting prepared for the playoffs and resting up a bit," Capitals forward Eric Fehr said, "so you dont want to take too much out of a game like that." Jay Beagle had his first career two-goal game, and Nicklas Backstrom also scored as the Capitals won their fourth straight, a winning streak thats rings hollow in D.C. "We want to finish off good," Backstrom said. "The last few games weve been playing all right, even if the games are a little more like a scrimmage." Ovechkins first-period goal -- a one-timer from the back edge of the left circle -- was his 24th on the power play, a Capitals franchise record and the most in the NHL since Steven Stamkos had 24 in the 2009-10 season. Ovechkins power-play output underscores his lack of scoring at even strength over the final six weeks of the season, as well as his minus-35 rating that is among the worst in the league. "Its pretty hard to be mentally ready for that kind of game. ... But soon its going to be, like, five months, play golf and do some stuff," Ovechkin said. "Youre probably going to miss hockey, so thats why you give everything and enjoy your moment." Jaroslav Halak made 34 saves in his first shutout since the trade deadline deal that brought him to Washington from the St. Louis Blues. It was also his first game since a bizarre episode on Tuesday, when he didnt play against the Blues because, according to Washington coach Adam Oates, the goalie wasnt "100 per cent comfortable" with the prospect of facing his former team for the first time. Halaks agent disputed Oates account and said any private conversations between player and coach shouldnt have been made public. Oates said before Fridays game that he had spoken to Halak and things were "all good." After the game, Halak essentially ignored questions about the topic, other than to agree that he and Oates have worked things out. "Theres no problem," Halak said. Meanwhile, about the only thing that can be said about the Blackhawks is that they actually participated in the game, and thats probably a stretch. "Well throw it in the garbage can," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "Well learn a little bit from it, but certainly were not happy about the way things played out. But it was one of those games." Quenneville, who had planned to rest some players over the final two games, gave defenceman Duncan Keith the night off and subbed goalie Corey Crawford after two periods. Still, forward Patrick Sharp was looking for a bit more effort. "Its the NHL. Were professionals," Sharp said. "We should be ready to go." Chicago had its four-game winning streak snapped. The defending Stanley Cup champions have a potential concern as they prepare for a run at another title: They have lost eight of 10 on the road, scoring only 15 goals in those games. "Its just a game we can definitely look past and move on to the next one," Crawford said. "I dont know, lets just forget about it. I dont know what else to day." NOTES: Capitals C Marcus Johansson didnt return after getting hit in the left hand with the puck in the second period. He will also miss Sundays season finale. ... Beagles two goals doubled his season output. His four goals match his career high. Air Force 1 Dame Norge . The White Sox said Wednesday they acquired left-handed pitching prospect Sean Bierman and infielder Ben Kline, who both played at Class A this season. The White Sox dealt Crain to Tampa Bay on July 29. Air Force 1 Just Do It Norge . Among the teams moves was trading one of the teams two third round picks, no. 83 overall, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bollig, a six-foot-two, 223-pound left-winger who had seven goals, seven assists, and 92 penalty minutes in 82 games last season. http://www.airforce1norge.com/nike-tanjun-norge.html. -- Jerry Rice Jr. Nike Blazer Norge . The former world No. 1 Djokovic, who is the top seed here despite being ranked No. 2, snuck past 35-year-old Czech showman Radek Stepanek in four high- quality sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), on Centre Court. Djokovic appeared relieved when he converted on his first match point by swatting a cross-court forehand winner that just caught the line to end an affair that featured only two service breaks. Air Force 1 Dame Norge . The pair ended pointless droughts when they each scored two goals in a 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets that halted a two-game losing skid for the Stars (15-11-5). LAS VEGAS -- A huge double takeout by Olympics-bound Brad Jacobs played a huge role in giving Team North America the lead at the Continental Cup on Thursday. Jacobs made a double takeout to blank the seventh end in his traditional team-play showdown against Team Worlds Niklas Edin. And in the eighth end, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native made an open hit to score one for a 4-3 victory. Jacobs win was part of a clean sweep of the evening games, giving Team North America a 6-3 lead on Team World. The first team reaching 30.5 points by Sundays final day will win the title. "That feels great," said Jacobs, who will skip Canada at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. "That was my first game ever, all of our (his teammates) first games, at the Continental Cup and that was a blast." "That was a no-risk shot," said Jacobs of the blank attempt in the seventh end. "If we hit one of the back ones and give up a steal, its not the worst, coming up with hhammer.ddddddddddddIt was a no-fear shot; I threw it real aggressive and it worked out perfect." In other action, Team North Americas Rachel Homan of Ottawa was a 6-4 winner over Team Worlds Margaretha Sigfridsson. Homans rink stole a deuce in the sixth end to turn the game around when Sigfridssons last-rock thrower, Maria Prytz, couldnt execute a hit-and-roll to score. "Just barely," said Homan about the victory. "But that was good. My whole team played well and so did Sigfridssons. Pretty excited about the three-team sweep tonight." In the other evening game, Team North Americas John Shuster hung on for a 5-3 win over Team Worlds David Murdoch. Shuster, who will skip the United States in Sochi, scored two in the fourth end and never looked back. Team World won two of three traditional team games in the morning draw of curlings version of the Ryder Cup, and Team North America won two of the three mixed doubles matches in the afternoon. ' ' '