|
|
 |
 |
|
| |
Monday, Apr. 3 7:30pm ET
Caps two points out of first in East | |||||
|
| ||||||
|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Capitals appeared headed for their third loss in a row. Then Joe Sacco picked off Kevin Hatcher's pass. Sacco had his first two-goal game of the season Monday night, lifting the Capitals out of their mini-slump in a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers. It all started when Sacco intercepted the puck just inside Washington's blue line, outraced two New York Rangers defensemen the length of the ice and put his shot over Kirk McLean's left shoulder at 12:06 of the second period. The goal tied it 1-1 and brought the ragged Capitals to life. "To get out of our funk, we needed someone from the fourth line to light the fire under us," Washington coach Ron Wilson said. "Joey's not a natural goal-scorer, yet he scored two goal-scorer's goals. He's a checker and a penalty-killer. That breakaway was a nice shot, and then the one-timer off to the side was another great shot." Washington moved within two points of the New Jersey Devils, who lost 5-2 to Florida, in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Although there wasn't the full 60-minute effort that had been lacking in recent home losses to Pittsburgh and Toronto, the Caps finally played like a playoff team again after Sacco's first goal. "We're a little tight," Wilson said. "We're watching the scoreboard. It took us a while to get back. The last 30 minutes was definitely our kind of game. We checked, they had no room, and we created a ton of scoring chances." Glen Metropolit and Jeff Halpern added goals in the third period. Adam Oates had two assists, moving him into sole possession of 12th place on the NHL career list with 893. Petr Nedved scored in the first period on a 5-on-3 power play for New York, winless in seven games (0-6-1). The Rangers, who fired general manager Neil Smith and coach John Muckler last week, have been eliminated from playoff contention. "It's a hard situation, but I think the guys are trying to do the best they can," interim coach John Tortorella said. "Some guys get more out of it. What happens in these situations is you lose your edge a little bit." Nedved nearly had a second goal on a breakaway, but was stopped in the first by a spectacular kick save by Olaf Kolzig. Kolzig, who made 22 saves, kept the Capitals in the game until Sacco's interception and goal. "It's always nice to chip in, especially when you're a fourth-line defensive player," said Sacco, who had scored only once in 31 games. "I saw him try to make the pass, and I just stuck my stick out. And then after that I tried to use my speed and get by those two guys, and I was able to." Sacco's second -- his seventh of the season -- came when the Capitals had an extra skater during a delayed penalty. The left wing found space in the right circle and beat McLean with a one-timer through a crowded crease at 17:41. Oates threaded a nice pass from left wing to set up Metropolit for the insurance score at 4:07 of the third. It was Metropolit's sixth goal of the season, and third in two games. Ulf Dahlen fed Halpern in the slot to wrap up the scoring with 3:54 to play. Nedved, a consistent performer in an otherwise dreadful Rangers season, got his 42nd point in 41 games when he scored on a one-timer from the right circle at 5:27 of the first. "Without the playoffs, it's a little different," Nedved said. "But we should give 100 percent. We did that for a while. Then we made some mental mistakes." | ALSO SEE NHL Scoreboard NY Rangers Clubhouse Washington Clubhouse Checketts says Rangers hope to have new GM before draft
Rangers send Quintal home for 'detrimental' conduct
RECAPS Buffalo 3 Toronto 2
Washington 4
  | |||||