No Matter Where They Play, Capitals Keep Winning
With an outstanding effort from goalie Olaf Kolzig, the Washington Capitals avoided the back-home blahs and ran their winning streak to 10 games.
Kolzig, who gave up at least three goals for five consecutive games, made 24 saves as the Capitals returned home from the most successful trip in franchise history with Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators.
Jeff Halpern and Dmitri Khristich scored for the Capitals, playing their first home game in 20 days after the 5-0-1 West Coast swing. Washington is 8-0-2 over 10 games, and Coach Ron Wilson didn’t want a letdown just because the traveling was done.
“I was concerned about that,” Wilson said. “The first one’s going to be the hardest, and we’re fortunate that Nashville had a tough game last night.”
Colorado 8, Boston 2--Peter Forsberg had two goals and two assists and Adam Deadmarsh scored twice as the Avalanche defeated the Bruins at Denver.
Ray Bourque, who spent more than two decades in Boston, had two assists in his first game against the Bruins since the March 6 trade that brought him to Colorado and enhanced his chances of finally winning the Stanley Cup.
Dallas 6, Minnesota 2--Joe Nieuwendyk had two goals and an assist at Dallas, becoming the 73rd NHL player with 900 career points, as the Stars earned its first victory over the expansion Wild.
Dallas’ Mike Modano was knocked out of the game in the first period with a concussion and his status is day to day.
Detroit 7, Chicago 3--Sergei Fedorov had two goals and an assist, and Igor Larionov added three assists as the Red Wings routed the Blackhawks at Chicago. The victory extended Detroit’s unbeaten streak to a season-high nine games (7-0-2). The Red Wings have not lost in February.
Carolina 6, Atlanta 3--Jeff O’Neill and rookie Shane Willis scored 52 seconds apart in the third period as the Hurricanes defeated the Thrashers at Raleigh, N.C. Willis had two more goals for his first hat trick, while Sandis Ozolinsh scored a goal and added three assists for his sixth career four-point game of his career.
Pittsburgh 3, Florida 2--Mario Lemieux, not even expected to play because of back pain, scored a power-play goal 2:10 in overtime at Pittsburgh as the Penguins defeated the Panthers.
Vancouver 2, Montreal 1--Markus Naslund scored his 34th goal and Daniel Sedin also scored at Montreal as the Canucks extended their win streak to three.
Phoenix 3, Columbus 2--Trevor Letowski’s goal with 42 seconds remaining led the Coyotes past the Blue Jackets at Phoenix after Columbus battled back from a 2-0 deficit.
Around the League
Toronto Maple Leaf General Manager and Coach Pat Quinn accused the Philadelphia Flyers of acting in bad faith by pulling out of a “done deal” in which Philadelphia would get two players and a top draft choice in exchange for Eric Lindros. Flyer General Manager Bobby Clarke said there never was an agreement. . . . The Boston Bruins traded Patrick Traverse to the Montreal Canadiens for Eric Weinrich in a swap of defenseman. . . . Pittsburgh Penguin forward Billy Tibbetts was suspended for one game without pay or kneeing Colorado Avalanche forward Dan Hinote.