Capitals Tie Wily Coyotes

Rob Blake and Artem Chubarov scored a goal and assist each to lead the Washington Capitals to a 5-5 tie against the Phoenix Coyotes on Day 27. The point moves Washington to 5-6-2 for the season.

The Capitals opened the scoring at 3:33 when Mikael Renberg scored a shorthanded goal from Rob Blake. Greg Watson was in the box for roughing at the time. After killing the rest of the penalty, Peter Tenkrat gave Washington a 2-0 lead when he scored from Frantisek Lukes and Andrew Ference at 4:02. The Caps had a good chance to make it 3-0 when Phoenix's Holmstrom went to the box for goalie interference, but the Coyotes killed off the advantage. Phoenix gained momentum from the successful defensive stand and finally got on the board at 10:29. Polcik was the scorer from Morozov and Louis. Forty-seven seconds later the game was tied as Klesla netted from Rheaume and Holmstrom at 11:16.

The Coyotes carried the momentum into the second period, and at 11:17 they had their first lead. Lidstrom scored the goal from Louis and Yashin. Washington tied it up just under four minutes later when Chubarov scored from Cheechoo at 15:02. Phoenix would not sit quietly, however, and they regained the lead just 51 seconds later on Dubinsky's goal from Morozov and Holmstrom.

After Phoenix dominated the second period, Washington tried to turn the tide in the third, but the Coyotes scored a quick goal to open a 5-3 lead. Zainullan was the scorer from Rheaume at 1:21. The Capitals finally got a goal back at 4:26 and it came on the power play. Polcik went to the sin-bin for boarding at 2:36, and with ten seconds left on the power play, Anson Carter scored from Chubarov and Ference to make it 5-4. Washington continued to press and Blake scored from Patrick Marleau and Michal Rozsival at 6:02 to tie the game.

Manny Legace struggled in goal for the Capitals, stopping just 20 shots. Peter Skudra made 11 saves in relief to earn the tie. Patrick Lalime stopped 19 shots for the Coyotes. Esche had 11 saves in relief.

Washington returns to action on Day 29 in Florida against the Panthers.