WASHINGTON (AP) _ Adam Oates had a goal and an assist and Olaf Kolzig made 20 saves for his second shutout against Atlanta as the Washington Capitals defeated the Thrashers 3-0 Saturday night.

Oates assisted on Ulf Dahlen's goal early in the first period, and then scored 20 seconds into the third to add insurance. Kolzig, who shut out Atlanta on Dec. 15, was rarely tested in earning his 12th victory.

The Capitals helped Kolzig by killing all eight of their penalties, the most times they've been short-handed this season. Atlanta managed just six power-play shots and were outshot 28-20 for the game.

This was the middle match between the Thrashers and Capitals, who are playing a rare three-game set. Atlanta had a 3-1 victory Thursday, and Washington will play at Atlanta on Wednesday.

The Capitals continued its strong play at home. The win improved the team's home mark to 10-4-6 in a physical game that saw a number of hard hits, shoving matches and near-fights.

Dahlen gave Washington a 1-0 lead 4:05 in with a power-play goal. Dahlen snuck around the side of the net and flipped a back-hand shot past Atlanta goalie Scott Fankhouser.

Oates made it 2-0 when he picked up a loose pick between the circles and, with Fankhouser down in a crowd, Oates put a back-hander behind him.

Mike Eagles scored his first goal 7:43 into the final period. While being pulled down, he sent the puck towards the goal and it bounced in off a skate.

Washington right wing Peter Bondra, listed as questionable because of a knee injury, sat out his second straight game. Bondra missed eight games in December after having arthroscopic knee surgery.

Atlanta defenseman Gord Murphy played in 800th career game.