Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise Jason Arnott has adjusted so quickly to playing for the Washington Capitals.
After all, the veteran center certainly knows a thing or two about being thrust into new surroundings.
Arnott scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:19 left, and the Capitals beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.
Playing in his second game since being acquired in a trade with New Jersey, Arnott took a crossing pass from Alexander Semin and beat goalie Ty Conklin with a slap shot from the left circle.
"It's just an experienced move," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He was already in a shooting position."
The 36-year-old Arnott got an assist on the tying goal against the New York Islanders in his Washington debut Tuesday night.
The Capitals are the fifth team Arnott has played for over a 17-year career, and it didn't take long for him to blend in with his new teammates.
"He's been around this league for a long time," Boudreau said. "He's being used in a different situation than he was for most of the year, so I think he's excited about playing."
Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth stopped 25 shots to set a franchise record for wins by a rookie with 21. The 22-year-old topped Bob Mason, who won 20 in 1986-87.
Alex Ovechkin had two assists for the Capitals, who have won two in a row at home for the first time since Nov. 26-28. They're also riding their first three-game winning streak since Dec. 26-Jan. 1, and now are within one point of firstplace Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division.
Alexander Steen and B.J. Crombeen scored for the Blues, who were coming off two straight shutout losses to Calgary. St. Louis has dropped six of seven.
"We played much better tonight, but it obviously doesn't mean much when you don't get two points," said Crombeen, who applauded the Capitals for adding Arnott.
"He's a high-end player, and any time you can add someone like that to the lineup it makes you a better team," Crombeen said.
Steen put St. Louis up 1-0 at 11:25 of the period, scoring off a fine cross-ice pass from Chris Stewart. The goal ended the Blues' scoreless run at 133 minutes, 32 seconds - dating to the third period of a Feb. 25 win over Edmonton.