NHL ROUNDUP : Capitals Show Canadiens How Good They Are

The Washington Capitals aren’t merely the best second-place team in the NHL, they are a solid contender for the Stanley Cup.

Kelly Miller scored two goals and had the first four-point game of his eight-year career Friday night at Landover, Md., to lead the Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

The victory gave the Capitals a better record than two division champions, the Canadiens and Detroit, and the same number of points (93) as Vancouver, the other division winner. Only the New York Rangers have more points. Unfortunately they also play in the Patrick Division.

One of Miller’s two assists came on Dino Ciccarelli’s 35th goal, which broke a 3-3 tie late in the second period.

Goaltender Don Beaupre blanked the Canadiens for the last 27 1/2 minutes after Gilbert Dionne’s 21st goal tied the score in the second period.

After Dionne’s score, the Canadiens had 15 more shots on goal, but none of them got past Beaupre.

The Capitals fired 45 shots at Montreal goalie Patrick Roy, who was seeking his 37th victory.

Edmonton 5, Minnesota 3--Vincent Damphousse scored his 36th goal and assisted on another at Edmonton and the Oilers continued to close in on the Kings.

The Oilers, who have four games remaining, are two points behind the Kings in the battle for second place in the Smythe Division. The Oilers can catch the Kings Sunday night when the teams play at Edmonton.