WASHINGTON (AP) -- It might be time to start taking the San Jose Sharks seriously.

Owen Nolan and Brad Stuart scored power-play goals, and Steve Shields stopped 27 shots as the surprising Sharks defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 Saturday night.

	Steve Shields' play in net has been a major factor in the Sharks' early-season success.

Using their standard formula for success -- Nolan, Vincent Damphousse and solid defense -- the Sharks improved their record to an NHL-best 6-2-0. The Sharks are off to their best start after eight games, breaking the previous franchise record of 5-2-1 in the 1995 lockout-shortened season.

Nolan scored off an assist from Damphousse, and San Jose held Washington to 13 shots through the first two periods.

"Our true game is defense. We just have to get back and play defense," Nolan said. "We're excited about the offense we have this year, but come crunch time in the playoffs, defense is what wins it for you."

Nolan has eight goals and 14 points, both NHL highs, and has scored in all eight games. Damphousse leads the league with nine assists, including six on the power play.

Shields, meanwhile, owns a sparkling 1.35 goals-against average and a 5-1 record that has forced veteran Mike Vernon to watch from the bench.

"Shields is hot, so we're playing him," Sharks coach Darryl Sutter said. "We have two guys who we feel can get hot and play a lot. That's probably different than any other team."

San Jose center Ron Sutter became the 141st player in NHL history to play in his 1,000th game. Sutter, who made his debut with Philadelphia in 1982, is scoreless in six games this season and remains one goal shy of 200 for his career.

But he created a stir when he jammed his stick into the face of Washington's Sergei Gonchar midway through the third period. Gonchar, who appeared to be pushed into Sutter after taking a shot, broke his nose and had to be helped from the ice.

"He crushed me right in the face. I don't know why," said Gonchar, who received 17 stitches.

Calle Johansson and Jan Bulis scored for the Capitals, who have allowed an NHL-high nine power-play goals.

"At some point we're going to have to work on that, maybe through tape sessions," Washington coach Ron Wilson said. "We've got to be more aggressive and meaner in front of our net. We have be more alert, too."

Nolan gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 6:41 of the first period, scoring from the right side of the net after Damphousse sent a pass across the crease.

Washington drew even at 5:20 of the second period when Johansson scored from high between the circles after taking a centering pass from Andrei Nikolishin. It was Johansson's first goal since last February and the 101st of his career.

Later in the period, Washington's Peter Bondra had an apparent goal wiped out when referee Richard Trottier ruled goaltender interference on defenseman Dmitri Mironov.

Minutes later, with Mika Elomo in the penalty box, Stuart blasted a 40-foot shot past Olie Kolzig to put San Jose ahead 2-1. He has two goals this season, both on the power play.

Wilson couldn't believe the chain of events.

"It was just one of those nights when we didn't get very many calls. Their second goal, the guy bumped Olie from behind so Olie couldn't stop the puck," Wilson said. "That's right after he disallows a goal at the other end. It got a little confusing as to what's what."

Stephane Matteau scored an even-strength goal with 14:28 left to make it 3-1. Bulis deflected a pass from Jeff Halperin into the net with 3:19 to go, but the Capitals took only three shots after that and Shields was up to the task.

"This run can end any time. I want to make sure I'm prepared to play and focused," Shields said. "If I get scored on, I get scored on. There's not much I can do about it."