|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON (AP) – The slumping Washington Capitals couldn't have
asked for a better confidence-builder.
|  | | Olaf Kolzig's shutout helps the Caps halt their three-game losing streak. |
Olaf Kolzig made 28 saves for his fifth shutout of the season as
the Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 3-0 Thursday night, snapping
a three-game losing streak.
Steve Konowalchuk, Jeff Halpern and Dainius Zubrus scored for
the Capitals, who had lost eight of their last 10 games. Sergei
Gonchar had two assists.
Now the Southeast Division champions have two games remaining to
turn one victory into a winning streak heading into the playoffs.
"It's important to establish the confidence again," said
Kolzig, who recorded his 21st career shutout. "We've got two games
to go before the playoffs and we need to build off this – get that
timing and everything rolling."
The Panthers, who have lost three of their last four, had a
season-high five-game (3-0-2) road unbeaten streak halted.
Washington won its 40th game of the season for the 10th time in
franchise history and the third time in four years.
The Panthers were 0-for-6 on the power play against the Capitals
and have converted only one of 21 man-advantage chances in five
games against Washington this season.
"We had chances. It wasn't a stale power play, that's for sure.
But the bottom line is you have to capitalize," said Florida coach
Duane Sutter.
The Capitals failed to convert two early power-play
opportunities, then took a 1-0 lead on Konowalchuk's extra-man goal
12:24 in.
Konowalchuk tied his career high with his 23rd goal, lofting a
shot from the edge of the left circle over goalie Trevor Kidd's
right shoulder.
Halpern made it 2-0 4:18 into the second, taking advantage of a
strange bounce in front of the net. Rob Zettler's shot from the
left point deflected off Konowalchuk in a maze of players in front
of Kidd and the puck squirted to the right post, where an unguarded
Halpern shoved it in.
Florida had a chance to get back into contention when
Washington's Chris Simon was given an elbowing major and a game
misconduct for ramming Anders Ericksson into the corner at 6:13 of
the second.
But the Panthers managed only five shots on Kolzig during the
five-minute power play.
Zubrus' first goal in 10 games since being acquired from
Montreal on March 13 extended the lead to 3-0. Ten seconds into a
two-man advantage early in the third period, Adam Oates sent a
cross-ice pass through the crease to Zubrus, who beat Kidd from the
right side.
"You want to focus on the little things and not worry about the
results," Konowalchuk said. "If you're doing your job, the game
should take care of itself. We tried to play basic hockey."
Game notes
Oates' assist was his 82nd point of the season, the most by
a player 38 or older. Hall of Famer Johnny Bucyk had 81 points at
the age of 39. ... Joe Reekie, whose 73 games played tied him with
Gonchar for the most by a Washington defenseman, was a healthy
scratch. ... The Capitals have outscored the opposition 103-73 in
the second period this season. ... Kidd started consecutive games
for the first time since Feb. 9-10. ... The Panthers have not won
in Washington since March 11, 1999.
 Send this story to a friend
|
|
ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Florida Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 3
Florida 0
Detroit 4
Atlanta 0
Montreal 3
Philadelphia 2
NY Rangers 4
Tampa Bay 3
Nashville 4
Calgary 0
St. Louis 4
Columbus 1
Vancouver 3
Los Angeles 2
San Jose 3
Phoenix 0
|
