Capitals Tie Wild

The Washington Capitals put an end to its two-game losing skid on Day 16 with a 3-3 tie against the Minnesota Wild. The result lifts Washington to 3-4-2.

Minnesota came out quickly in the opening period and took a 1-0 lead when Plekanec netted from Stillman and Roenick at 11:40. The Wild outshot Washington 8-3 in the period.

The Caps raised its game in the second period, and Dan Boyle tied the game after just 1:12. Frantisek Lukes and Mikael Renberg assisted on the goal. Minnesota regained the lead 8:24 later when demitra scored his sixth of the season from Ruutu and Lecavalier at 9:36, but the Caps tied it up again with a shorthanded tally late in the action. Marleau was the scorer from Rob Blake and Cory Sarich at 18:52.

Washington took the lead midway through the final period with a power play goal from Jonathan Cheechoo. Oleg Saprykin and Mark Eaton assisted on the tally. The Wild kept fighting, however, and Eade tied the game for good with a power play marker from Roenick and Ruutu at 15:46.

Manny Legace stopped 19 shots for the Caps. Ryan Miller had 21 saves for Minnesota.

The Capitals return to action on Day 19 against Dallas.