Capitals Brush Past Bruins

Jonathan Cheechoo scored a pair of goals, and Frantisek Lukes earned three points to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Day 71. The victory moved Washington to 13-17-3 for the season.

Boston came out quickly in the first period to take a 2-0 lead in the first 8:10. Turgeon got the first at 4:25 from Connolly and Sykora, before McDonald added the second from Kaberle and Hecht at 14:54. Washington had two chances on the power play in the first, but the team couldn't convert on either chance.

The Capitals finally got it going in the second period, and two goals just eight seconds apart turned the game. Cheechoo scored the first, his 10th of the season, from Patrick Marleau and Lukes at 0:51 on the power play. Lukes then notched his seventh with an unassisted tally at 0:59. Artem Chubarov completed the strong period for Washington with his 10th of the year from Cory Sarich and Rob Blake at 8:19.

Boston tied the game early in the third period on the man advantage when Hecht netted from Sykora and Kutlak at 2:53, but the Capitals would not be denied on this night. Cheechoo's second of the game at 9:56 from Lukes and Marleau proved to be the game-winner, as Washington stood strong under a barrage of Bruin shots in the final 20 minutes.

Manny Legace made 30 saves to earn the win and improve to 11-15-2. Andrew Raycroft stopped 24 shots in the loss for Boston.

The Capitals return to action on Day 74 against St. Louis.