Capitals Take Down Islanders

The Washington Capitals moved to one game below .500 after beating the New York Islanders 5-3 on Day 126. The win was Washington's second straight and fourth straight game without a loss. The Caps are 9-1-2 in the last 12 games and 26-27-10 overall, one game out of the playoffs.

The Caps took control of the game when they scored on both ends of a double-minor penalty to take a 2-0 lead. With York in the box, Frantisek Lukes netted from Jonathan Cheechoo and Dan Boyle at 7:30. Cory Sarich added an unassisted goal 2:08 later to extend the lead. Mikael Renberg made it 3-0 when he scored his 20th of the season from Rob Blake and Michal Rozsival at 10:46.

Washington continued to play well in the second period, and Zigmund Palffy made it 4-0 at 7:51 from Patrick Marleau and Blake. The Isles pulled a goal back through Delmore from Peca and Roloson at 12:48, but the Caps answered just 4:10 later to make it 5-1. Rozsival was the scorer from Andrew Ference and Greg Watson.

New York scord a pair of goals in the final period, but it wasn't enough to deny the Capitals. Hagman netted first from Zvachin at 4:51, before Chara tallied from Sakic and Hossa at 8:36.

Manny Legace made 23 saves to earn the win for Washington and improve to 21-22-7. Dwayne Roloson stopped just nine shots in the loss for the Isles. Mike Richter made five saves in relief.

The Capitals return to action on Day 129 against Atlanta.