WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- To be the best you've got to beat the best.

By that logic, the Winnipeg Jets took a significant step towards their goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup next spring by beating last season's champs, the Washington Capitals, 3-1 Wednesday night at Bell MTS Place.

It wasn't a Rebrandt by any means -- it can't be when you have two shots on goal in the first period, one of which came from your own zone and was practically moving backwards when it was gently brushed aside by the goalie -- but the Jets got stronger as the game wore on and did a good job of neutralizing sniper Alex Ovechkin and keeping virtually all of his teammates' rushes to the outside of the rink.