Capitals stop 6-on-3 advantage

The Washington Capitals had nothing to lose and looked like a playoff team against the Atlanta Thrashers, who lost a chance to move closer to a division title.

Alex Ovechkin scored two goals to continue his season-long success in Atlanta, and the last-place Capitals killed a late six-on-three advantage to beat the Thrashers, 3-2, on Wednesday night. Ovechkin’s two goals gave him eight in four games in Atlanta this season.

Washington’s Brent Johnson gave up a goal to Ilya Kovalchuk about one minute into the game, but gave up only one more, to Andy Sutton late in the game.

Overall, Johnson stopped 30 shots and withstood an Atlanta power play for the final 1:30, including a three-man advantage for the final 44 seconds.

Washington’s Brooks Laich drew a delay penalty at the 1:30 mark, and Milan Jurcina was penalized for slashing about 45 seconds later.

Atlanta pulled goalie Kari Lehtonen but couldn’t score despite the rare six-on-three opportunity after the penalty against Jurcina.