Caps' 50th stymies Thrashers' playoff hopes
After losing three in a row, the NHL's highest scoring team buckled
down and won an old-fashioned, not-much-shooting, lots-of-whistles
type of game.
Matt Bradley broke a third-period tie Thursday night with his
first goal in 2 1/2 months and the Washington Capitals took a 2-1
victory over the Atlanta Thrashers, who missed a vital chance to
gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
It was a change of pace for the Capitals, who had been
outscored 9-1 in the first periods of their three-game skid, having
perhaps become overconfident in their potent offense's ability to
overcome any deficit.
``We talked about the last couple of games, if we had played
that way in the playoffs, it wasn't going to work,'' Bradley said.
``We knew it was going to be a playoff-style game tonight because
they're fighting for their lives. The first two periods were kind
of boring with not much happening, but you've just got to wait it
out and not make any stupid moves and you know your breaks will
come.''
The break came when Bradley knocked Chris Chelios off the
puck in the right corner and skated to the crease and put a
backhander between Ondrej Pavelec's legs with 10:14 remaining. It
was Bradley's ninth goal of the season and first since Jan. 19.
``Once I got that goal, it's a little bit of a rush,''
Bradley said. ``For the rest of the period I was on a little bit of
a high. It just makes you a little bit looser.''
In a possible preview of a first-round Eastern Conference
playoff series, the Capitals put aside of week of spotty play and
moved closer to clinching the Presidents' Trophy for best overall
record. Nicklas Backstrom scored his 30th goal, Alex Ovechkin had
an assist for his 102nd point, and Semyon Varlamov improved his bid
to be the No. 1 goalie for the postseason by making 19 saves in his
first win since March 4.
The win was No. 50 for the Capitals, tying the club record.
Washington also has had Atlanta's number this season, winning all
five meetings by a combined score of 24-11.
The Thrashers started the day in ninth place in the East with
five games to play and two points behind Philadelphia, Boston and
Montreal in a logjammed battle for the final playoff spots. At
least they didn't fall further behind: Philadelphia and Boston both
lost, and Montreal had the night off.
``It just means they've given us another chance,'' Atlanta
coach John Anderson said. ``We've got to find ways to win and get
points. If everything stays the same, we're out of the playoffs.
We've got to make some hay here.''
The Thrashers' only goal came from Tim Stapleton, playing his
fourth game with the team after getting called up from the minors.
Anderson said his team has had to scale back its style a bit
because of fatigue in the cramped schedule following the Olympic
break, and the Capitals were happy to play along.
``They played a style that was very tight and a very
playoff-ready style, which I don't know if we necessarily expected,
and we kind of played the same,'' Atlanta defenseman Ron Hainsey
said. ``It was kind of a pre-lockout playoff game, really. It
wasn't a ton of chances. They got the timely goal when they needed
it, and that's the difference.''
The Capitals opened the scoring in the final minute of the
first period when Mike Green's shot from the point was tipped in by
Backstrom. The goal put Backstrom at the 30-goal plateau for the
first time - his previous high was last season's 22.
An active second period included Colby Armstrong's forearm to
the face of Mathieu Perreault that knocked the young Capitals
center to the ice. Armstrong wasn't called for a penalty - until
Shaone Morrisonn stepped in to retaliate. Armstrong and Morrisonn
scuffled, and both were sent off for 2 minutes.
Washington coach Bruce Boudreau called the hit ``flagrant,''
while Armstrong said it was an accident.
``I was going to go right through him. I think he kind of
bailed on me a little bit,'' Armstrong said. ``I didn't mean to get
my arms up into his neck or anything like that.''
Stapleton tied it late in the period when he got behind
defenseman Tom Poti and deposited a feed from Armstrong past
Varlamov. It was the second NHL goal for Stapleton and first with
the Thrashers.
Varlamov hasn't looked the same since returning from his
groin and knee injuries in February, but his performance could put
pressure on Jose Theodore as Boudreau decides on a starting playoff
goalie. Theodore has struggled in his last two games.
``It was a great confidence-booster,'' Boudreau said. ``He
hadn't won in a while.''
NOTES: Atlanta D Pavel Kubina sat out with an upper-body
injury. He was replaced by Chelios, who played his fifth game with
the Thrashers. ... Washington C Brooks Laich wore a full cage
helmet as he returned after missing four games with facial injuries
from taking a puck in the face during practice. ``He adds another
dimension to our team. If it was a puzzle, he fits that thing in
and he completes us,'' said Boudreau, who then laughed at the
corniness of that statement. ... LW Quintin Laing (lower-body) and
D John Carlson (upper-body) missed the game for the Capitals. ...
Boudreau is good pals with Anderson, but there's no friendly
sympathy on tap this late in the season. ``I want to beat him real
bad,'' Boudreau said. ``It gives you bragging rights at the golf
tournament.'' ... Green matched his career high with his 73rd
point.
