Capitals Ground Thrashers

Michal Rozsival scored a goal and assisted on two others to lead the Washington Capitals back into the winner's circle in a 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Day 40. With the win, Washington improves to 9-8-3 for the season.

After failing on two power plays in the first half of the opening period, the Capitals finally came alive when Rehnberg went to the box for five minutes at 10:09. Rozsival struck first with the man advantage at 12:22 from Frantisek Lukes and Todd Warriner. Jonathan Cheechoo got the second from Bryan Berard and Zigmund Palffy at 14:49. Washington dominated the opening period, outshooting Atlanta 11-4 to go along with the 2-0 edge on the scoreboard.

The Capitals kept it up early in the second period, and when Berard scored from Lukes and Dan Boyle at 6:48, it was 3-0. Atlanta pulled a goal back through Horton from Bahen and Nikulin at 9:45, but another major penalty to Rehnberg just under five minutes later cost Atlanta any comeback chance. This time the penalty was kicking and Rehnberg was ejected for the violent play. Warriner made the Thrashers pay for their dirty deed when he scored from Rozsival and Mark Eaton at 15:46 to make it 4-1 going to the intermission.

Washington kept pushing the offense in the final period, and Mikael Renberg extended the lead to four goals at 3:46. The goal, Renberg's fifth of the season, was assisted by Cory Sarich and Rozsival. Muckalt scored a late consolation goal for the Thrashers, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Manny Legace made 14 saves to earn the win and improve to 8-7-1. Michael Garnett stopped 18 shots for Atlanta. Stephane Fiset made eight saves in relief.

The Capitals are back in action on Day 42 against the high-flying Carolina Hurricanes.