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BOX SCORE
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Washington Capitals scored both times
they had a 5-on-3 advantage after the Los Angeles Kings failed the
only time they did.
Peter Bondra and Sergei Gonchar scored less than three minutes
apart during a 2:48 span of the second period in which the Capitals
drew three minor penalties. That led to a 4-3 victory Saturday
night, Washington's first road win over the Kings since Feb. 12,
1994.
"Our first unit on the power play is pretty to watch," Steve
Konowalchuk said. "If they set it up, it's going to be a quality
scoring chance. It's pretty hard to defend, so if we can get out
and draw some penalties, it certainly helps our cause."
Olaf Kolzig made 27 saves, three during the 5-on-3 advantage the
Kings had for a full two minutes in the first period after Bob
Corkum opened the scoring with his first goal in 37 games.
"Killing off their 5-on-3 was huge, already down 1-0,"
Capitals coach Ron Wilson said. "To kill off a full 5-on 3 for a
full two minutes without too many dangerous chances is a real
credit to our penalty killers. And we were able to build on that."
The Kings were still nursing that 1-0 lead when Bondra's
league-leading 15th power-play goal triggered a four-goal second
period by the Capitals. He beat Jamie Storr between the pads with a
one-timer from the left point just 21 seconds after Kelly
Buchberger was sent off for hooking.
"We've been having lapses in the last few games, and tonight
was no different," Buchberger said. "We've had some undisciplined
penalties that have really hurt us. Our penalty killing hasn't been
up to par lately, and they just took it to us in the second
period."
Gonchar put the Capitals ahead 2-1 with his 13th goal. He used
teammate Dmitri Khristich and Kings defenseman Mattias Norstrom as
a screen, and beat Storr from 30 feet with two seconds left on Jere
Karalahti's boarding penalty and Glen Murray still in the box for
slashing Jeff Halpern.
"Gonch is one of the top offensive defenseman in the league,"
said injured teammate Joe Sacco, who expects to return to the
lineup Tuesday at Calgary after missing four games with a bruised
shoulder. "His stats speak for themselves, and he's another guy
who can get you goals at key times."
Konowalchuk scored his 17th goal and Richard Zednik extended his
goal-scoring streak to four games, matching a career best. Adam
Oates and Ulf Dahlen each had two assists, helping the Southeast
Division leaders extend their unbeaten streak to six games,
including a season-best four straight victories.
Luc Robitaille and Karalahti also scored for the Kings, who
played without captain Rob Blake for the second straight game
because of a bruised right shoulder.
Steve Passmore replaced Storr at the start of the third, but the
Capitals didn't get another shot on net until the final minute.
Game notes
Mathieu Schneider's assist on Robitaille's goal was his
40th point of the season, earning him a $500,000 bonus in addition
to his $2 million salary. ... Corkum's goal was his first in 51
home games with the Kings since signing as an unrestricted free
agent in December, 1999. He has scored seven times for them on the
road. ... The Kings are 6-22-2 without Blake since the start of the
1998-99 season. ... Bondra, who had only 21 goals last season in 62
games, has matched that total in his last 23 games alone. His 269
goals since the start of the 1994-95 season are more than any NHL
player except Jaromir Jagr (293) ... Gonchar's 52 goals since the
start of the 1998-99 season are the most among NHL defensemen, and
five more than Blake has during that span.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Los Angeles Clubhouse
RECAPS
Pittsburgh 5
New Jersey 4
Florida 7
Atlanta 3
Boston 6
Tampa Bay 2
Montreal 5
NY Islanders 3
Buffalo 2
Ottawa 1
Detroit 3
Toronto 3
Columbus 3
Nashville 2
St. Louis 4
Colorado 3
Calgary 4
Vancouver 1
Washington 4
Los Angeles 3
San Jose 3
Chicago 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Sergei Gonchar scores the power-play goal for Washington.
avi: 437 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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