Capitals Outscore Jackets

The Washington Capitals moved into eighth palce in the Wales Conference on Day 135 after a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Washington's record is now 29-28-11.

Columbus opened a 1-0 lead midway through the first period on Halpern's goal from Berglund and Roest at 10:33, but the Caps answered just over two minutes later to tie the game. Patrick Marleau got the goal for the home team from Mikael Renberg and Zigmund Palffy at 12:55.

Washington opened its first lead of the game late in the second period when Radoslav Suchy netted from Palffy and Anson Carter at 14:41. After getting outshot 9-7 in the first 20 minutes, the Capitals held a 10-7 advantage in the second.

The Caps seemingly took control of the game in the final period with a pair of goals just 1:41 apart. Palffy got the first from Renberg at 8:56, before Andy Sutton tallied from Greg Watson and Jonathan Cheechoo at 10:37. The Blue Jackets rallied to pull within one goal after Lyashenko and Vyborny scored in less than two minutes. Lyashenko's marker came from Berglund and Harrison at 12:38, while Gleason and Melichar assisted on Vyborny's goal at 14:16. The Capitals turned up the heat after the Columbus comeback, and Frantisek Lukes put the game out of reach when he scored from Artem Chubarov and Dan Boyle at 17:01.

Manny Legace made 18 saves to earn the win for Washington and improve to 23-23-8. Dan Blackburn stopped 22 shots in the loss for Columbus and fell to 22-39-8. Arturs Irbe made two saves in relief.

The Capitals return to action on Day 137 in Atlanta.