Capitals Swamped by Hurricanes

Jonathan Cheechoo scored a pair of goals, but the Carolina Hurricanes escaped Washington with a 3-2 victory on Day 42. The loss drops the Capitals to 9-9-3 for the season.

Carolina took control of the game with a pair of goals in the first 9:58 of the first operiod. Friesen scored the first from Colaiacovo and Tucker at 1:19. Tucker then made it 2-0 with his fifth of the season from Colaiacovo and Wellwood at 9:58. Neither team was able to capitalize on power play chances late in the period, including a stretch of 33 seconds when the Capitals had a two-man advantage.

After another failed power play chance near the middle of the second period, Cheechoo scored his first of the game and fifth of the season at 11:06. Zigmund Palffy and Boris Mironov assisted on the goal. Washington successfully killed a penalty late in the period to keep it 2-1 going to the final 20 minutes.

The Hurricanes regained a two-goal lead at 7:36 of the third period on Draper's goal from Eminger and Dwyer, but the Capitals answered 6:12 later. Once again it was Cheechoo finding the back of the net with Mikael Renberg and Patrick Marleau earning the assists. Washington had a late power play opportunity to try and tie the game, but the Hurricanes defense held up well and killed the chance.

Manny Legace stopped 23 shots for Washington in the loss. Jose Theodore was excellent for Carolina with 24 saves to improve to 13-3-4.

The Capitals are back on the ice on Day 44 in Tampa Bay to face the defending champion Lightning.