Predators Prey on Capitals

Mikael Renberg scored two goals and assisted on a third, but it wasn't enough for the Washington Capitals as the Nashville Predators skated to a 6-4 victory on Day 52. The loss drops Washington back under .500 at 11-12-3.

Nashville got on the board first in the opening period when Pronger scored from Thornton and Hartnell at 5:19. Washington responded, however, with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead late in the action. Renberg got the first from Jonathan Cheechoo and Rob Blake at 8:15, and Dan Boyle scored the second from Todd Warriner and Renberg at 16:08. Nashville didn't take a liking to falling behind, and Hamrlik tied the game from Thornton and Hartnell at 16:53.

The Predators took control of the game midway through the second period when Pratt and Pronger scored goals 50 seconds apart to make it 4-2. Pratt's goal, his first of the season, came from Langkow and Krestanovich at 11:25. Pronger then got his fifth of the year from Thornton and Sturm at 12:15. Despite the goals against, Washington didn't give up, and Warriner made it 4-3 when he scored from Mark Eaton and Ivan Rachunek at 17:27.

Trailing by a goal entering the final period, Washington needed to stay out of the penalty box, but Greg Watson took a crucial four-minute highsticking penalty at 7:38 to make a comeback difficult. Nashville took full advantage of the power plays and scored two goals to blow the game open. Brunette scored first from Thornton and Hamrlik at 8:37, before Kuba made it 6-3 from Langkow and Sturm at 9:16. Renberg added a goal three minutes later for Washington, but it wasn't enough. Cheechoo and Radoslav Suchy assisted on the goal.

Manny Legace made just 13 saves to take the loss for Washington. Peter Skudra stopped four shots in relief. Former Capital Tommy Salo made 19 saves to earn the win for the Predators.

The Capitals return to action on Day 55 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.