NHL : Capitals End Winless Streak

Dino Ciccarelli got the tiebreaking goal early in the third period as the Washington Capitals ended an eight-game winless streak by defeating the New Jersey Devils, 4-3, Tuesday.

Ciccarelli’s eighth goal, with 14:20 left, ended the Devils’ bid for a franchise-record nine-game unbeaten streak and kept them two points behind the first-place New York Rangers in the Patrick Division. New Jersey was 3-0-5 since losing to Pittsburgh Dec. 13.

Ciccarelli received a pass from Mikhail Tatarinov below the left circle and took a shot that hit the outside of the net, then hit the skate of goalie Chris Terreri and trickled over the goal line.

John Druce scored two goals for the Capitals, who ended an 0-7-1 skid. Don Beaupre stopped 16 shots to earn his first victory since Dec. 7--also against the Devils.

Beaupre preserved the victory with several late saves, including a pad stop on a shot by Bruce Driver from the slot with 5:30 remaining and a save on a slap shot by Brendan Shanahan with 41 seconds left.