Capitals Edge Sharks

The Washington Capitals edged the San Jose Sharks 5-4 on Day 118 to extend its winning streak to four games. The two points also moved Washington's unbeaten run to seven games and upped the Caps' record to 23-26-9.

San Jose got off to a quick start in the opening period, and Salo made it 1-0 when he scored from Madden and Giguere at 2:11. Washington responded with a goal from Greg Watson at 8:12 to tie the game. Todd Warriner and Jonathan Cheechoo assisted on the tally that came against the run of play. The Sharks dominated the action and Murray scored his 20th of the season from Jagr and St. Louis at 11:50 to make it 2-1. Jagr added his 25th goal from St. Louis and Murray at 16:34 to give San Jose a two-goal lead. The Capitals, outshot 13-4 in the period, got a big goal from Patrick Marleau just 23 seconds later to get back into the game. Zigmund Palffy and Bryan Berard assisted on the goal.

The Sharks continued to pepper the Washington netminder, but the Capitals scored a pair of goals in the second period to take the lead. Rob Blake scored the first from Berard and Mikael Renberg at 9:27, before Renberg scored one of his own from Marleau and Palffy at 14:49. After two periods, San Jose held a 27-12 shots advantage, but the Capitals were ahead 4-3 on the scoreboard.

San Jose came out quickly in the final period and tied the game after just 1:55. Murray was the scorer from Jagr and St. Louis. With the game all even, Washington turned to a tight-checking game and kept things close for most of the period. The game appeared to be heading to overtime before Anson Carter converted from Radoslav Suchy and Frantisek Lukes at 17:18 to give Washington the unlikely victory.

Manny Legace made 30 saves to earn the win and improve to 19-22-6. JS Giguere stopped just 13 shots in the loss for the Sharks.

The Capitals return to action on Day 120 against Philadelphia.