NHL : Capitals Get Unexpected Help, Beat Islanders, 8-5

Nick Kypreos of the Washington Capitals picked up a black eye and a nasty bruise on his shoulder Wednesday against the New York Islanders, but that’s not unusual for an NHL enforcer.

What was unusual were the two goals Kypreos scored as the Capitals beat the Islanders, 8-5.

“I haven’t had too many offensive chances this year, but if you keep plugging away you’re going to have days like this,” Kypreos said after scoring twice during a game for the first time in his career.

“(Sometimes) the puck seems to be there, and you’re capable of putting it into the net,” Kypreos added. “My job is to be physical. When you have an offensive day like this, it’s a bonus. I’m not all of a sudden a goal scorer. That’s a little ridiculous.”

Kypreos, who came into the game with 120 penalty minutes and only three points, gave Washington leads of 3-1 and 5-2 with goals during the second period.

His only previous goal of the season was Nov. 2 against the Islanders.

Washington went four for four with its top-ranked power play.

The victory moved the Capitals two points ahead of the second-place New York Rangers in the Patrick Division. Pierre Turgeon had two goals and two assists for the Islanders.

Derek King had his second hat trick of the season for the Islanders, who scored three times during a span of 2:49 to cut a four-goal deficit to 6-5 with 15:56 left. But Washington’s Mike Ridley scored 46 seconds later and added the clincher with 3:34 left.