Capitals Edge Penguins

Patrick Marleau scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Day 32. The victory was Washington's second straight and moves the team to 7-6-2 for the season.

In a tightly played first period, the Penguins opened the scoring through Drury from Shvidki and Elias at 5:06. Washington failed on a power play chance later in the period, and found themselves shorthanded when Artem Chubarov went to the box for goalie interference at 19:13. The penalty kill seemed to rejuvenate the Caps, however, and Mikael Renberg scored with just two seconds remaining to tie the game. Rob Blake and Marleau assisted on the tally.

The close checking game continued in the second period, and after missing on a power play chance the Capitals scored a pair of goals to take control of the game. Jonathan Cheechoo scored the first from Greg Watson and Cory Sarich at 14:46, before Marleau netted from Dan Boyle and Blake at 16:04. Frantisek Lukes took a late hooking minor for Washington, but the penalty killing unit did the job to shut down the Penguins.

Pittsburgh pulled a goal back on the power play in the third period, but Washington held on to secure the victory. Steckel was the scorer for the Penguins with Battaglia and Parssisen assisting on the goal.

Manny Legace made 15 saves to earn the win and improve to 6-5-1. J-S Aubin stopped 15 shots in a losing effort for Pittsburgh.

The Capitals are back in action on Day 33 against Minnesota.