Third-period explosion pushes Caps to eighth-straight victory

By Bud L. Ellis

Locked in a tight, low-scoring game entering the third period Wednesday night, the Washington Capitals did what they’ve done so much during their scorching-hot January.

The Caps stood on the accelerator on the offensive end, turning a close contest into another easy victory.

Washington scored three goals in a 2:30 span of the third on three shots, pulling away from Anaheim 5-1 at the Verizon Center for their eighth-consecutive victory.

It’s the longest Washington streak since March 1989. The victory pushes the Caps to 12-1 at home since Thanksgiving week, and gives Washington 76 points, good for a six-point lead over New Jersey in the Eastern Conference.

Shaone Morrisonn snapped the 1-1 tie at 1:45 of the third. Mike Knuble scored 54 seconds later, and Alexander Semin scored at 4:15. Just like that, it was 4-1 and the Caps were cruising again.

Semin scored on the power play at 11:47, giving him four goals in two nights. Alex Ovechkin scored Washington’s first goal just 36 seconds into the game.

The Caps, who are 11-2 in January and have won 11 of their past 12, finish off January with home games Friday against Florida and Sunday against Tampa Bay. Win both of those, and the Caps will match their franchise record for longest winning streak (10 games), set in 1983-84.

—30—

Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 5:53 am by bud

Tags: Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, Mike Knuble, National Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, Shaone Morrisonn, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals