WASHINGTON - The Washington Capitals have acquired goalie Cristobal Huet from the Montreal Canadiens for a 2009 second-round draft pick. The deal Tuesday comes a few hours before the deadline for making trades in the NHL.

Cristobal Huet comments after being traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Washington Capitals in return for a second round pick in 2009, Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Huet has been Montreal's No. 1 goalie this season. The 2007 All-Star is 21-12-6 with a 2.55 goals-against average.

The Capitals' top goalie has been Olie Kolzig, who is 21-19-6 with a 3.03 GAA.

Washington has climbed from the bottom of the NHL to within striking distance of a playoff berth.

The draft pick Montreal gets was previously acquired by Washington from Anaheim for Brian Sutherby.