Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Evgeny Kuznetsov each had a goal and two assists, Jakub Vrana scored and Braden Holtby made 27 saves to help the Capitals defeat the Maple Leafs 5-2 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the first NHL game played at a service academy.
The Capitals (37-21-7), who are 3-0-0 all time in outdoor games, moved two points ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers for first place in the Metropolitan Division. They have 81 points through 65 games.
WATCH: [All Maple Leafs vs. Capitals highlights | RELATED: Complete NHL Stadium Series coverage]
"This was a good game," Washington coach Barry Trotz said. "It was a big game and a big stage, obviously, against a very good team that's probably the hottest I think since probably the All-Star break. I thought we did the right things. We were skating. We were putting pressure on the puck. We had people in the right areas and we were committed in the right areas."
Zach Hyman and Nazem Kadri scored for the Maple Leafs (39-21-7), who lost in regulation for the first time in seven games and the third time in 18 games since Jan. 24 (13-3-2). They're third in the Atlantic Division with 85 points, three behind the second-place Boston Bruins.
"[The Capitals] look at us and they still think we're kids," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. "And it looked like we were kids out there tonight. I thought they smacked us around and forechecked us. I didn't think we executed at all."
The Capitals scored less than one minute after each of Toronto's goals.
"That makes it easier," Holtby said. "I thought our game overall was pretty solid."