Capitals Stumble Against Thrashers

Coming off a two-day rest, the Washington Capitals struggled on Day 12 and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Atlanta Thrashers. The setback dropped Washington to 3-3-1 for the season.

The Capitals dominated the opening period and outshot Atlanta 12-6, but the Thrashers scored twice to take a 2-0 lead to intermission. Horton got both goals, the first coming from Bahen and Kidney on the power play at 3:25, and the second from Boychuk and Kidney at 15:22.

Washington pulled within one in the second period. Patrick Marleau was the scorer from Zigmund Palffy and Rob Blake at 1:54. Once again the Caps carried the play and outshot the visitors 10-4 over the 20 minutes.

Trailing by a goal entering the final period, the Capitals took advantage of an early power play to tie the game. David Vyborny did the job from Jonathan Cheechoo and Dan Boyle at 3:01. Atlanta regained the lead for good just 28 seconds later on Steeves' second goal of the year from Gleason and Brown.

Manny Legace stopped 19 shots in the loss and fell to 1-3-1. Marc-Andre Fleury made 32 saves in the win.

The Capitals are off on Days 13 and 14 before visiting Toronto on Day 15.