Stirling Effort Leads Ducks Past Capitals

Patrick Marleau scored a goal and assisted on another, but it wasn't enough for the Washington Capitals as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim skated to a 4-2 victory on Day 38. Washington falls to 8-8-3 for the season with the loss.

Anaheim got on the board quickly in the first period when Guite scored an unassisted goal at 1:29. The Capitals went on the power play just six seconds later, but the offense couldn't score despite firing several shots on the Anaheim goal. Washington did manage to score several minutes later on Marleau's fifth goal of the season from Mikael Renberg and Bryan Berard. The Capitals took a pair of penalties in the second half of the period, but the penalty killers snuffed out every Ducks chance to keep it 1-1.

The second period started much like the first as Anaheim opened a 2-1 lead early in the action. Stumpel scored the goal for the Ducks from Schauer and Rita at 3:02. Just under four minutes later it was 3-1 as Rachunek netted from May and Santala at 6:55. After failing on their second power play chance of the period, Washington finally pulled a goal back through Frantisek Lukes at 13:47. Anson Carter and Marleau assisted on the goal.

The final period was a heavy-hitting affair, but the Ducks held strong to their one-goal lead for most of the period. When Guite scored his second of the game from Martin and Stumpel, however, it was all over for the Capitals.

Manny Legace stopped 23 shots to take the loss. He's now 7-7-1. Scott Stirling msde 30 saves for Anaheim in the win.

The Capitals are back in action on Day 40 against the Atlanta Thrashers.