Caps Quiet Down, Win in a Shutout

Capitals 1, Panthers 0

One game after smashing his stick and iPod in frustration, Alex Ovechkin helped the struggling Washington Capitals snap a six-game losing streak while adding another milestone to his résumé.

The 21-year-old scored his first goal in five games and goaltender Olie Kolzig made sure the Capitals earned a 1-0 victory at Verizon Center over the Florida Panthers, who, like their hosts, are out of playoff contention.

Ovechkin's goal, scored on a one-timer from point-blank range, was his 44th of the season and made him only the second player in franchise history to record 90 points in back-to-back seasons. Dennis Maruk accomplished the feat in 1980-81 and 1981-82.

"In this league, when your top players are the top players in the game, you win a high percentage of those games," Capitals Coach Glen Hanlon said. "Tonight was a great game for those two guys."

Ovechkin had five shots on goal in 21 minutes 27 seconds of ice time, and Kolzig turned aside 27 shots, including five by Panthers captain Olli Jokinen and 11 in the third period, to earn his first shutout since February 2004 and the Capitals' first this season. Washington, meantime, managed only 17 shots on backup goalie Craig Anderson.

"Who's counting?" Kolzig said, when asked about getting his first shutout in three years. "Tonight was the first in a while to preserve a win. It got hairy in the end, but the bounces went our way."

The Capitals left immediately for Atlanta, where they'll attempt to match last season's point total of 70 when they play the Thrashers at Philips Arena tonight. But they won't know until game time whether Alexander Semin, the team's second-leading scorer behind Ovechkin, can play. He left the bench at the end of the second period and did not return because of a sore foot, a team official said.

Last night's victory also was significant because it came in the Capitals' first game since Saturday's blowup following a penalty- and turnover-plagued 5-2 defeat in Tampa. A heated closed-door meeting followed the loss and Ovechkin destroyed one of his sticks, his iPod and headphones at its conclusion.

"You need those," Kolzig said. "You need to clear the air. It's really, for a young team, the way you grow. I thought we played a very disciplined hockey game. To me, it shows that the team responded."

Ovechkin said on Monday that he had put the incident in the past. Last night, he proved it.

After a scoreless first period, Ovechkin opened the scoring at 5:28 of the second period. The powerful left wing wound his way through the defense and into the low slot, where he received a deft pass from center Brooks Laich. Ovechkin lifted the shot over Anderson's shoulder.

Ovechkin's goal managed to stand. But barely.

In the final minute of the second period, Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester clanked a long shot off the post and Kolzig was forced to turn away left wing David Booth on a semi breakaway. Kolzig was also stellar while facing six attackers in the final seconds.

"We finally win a game," Ovechkin said. "Olaf do unbelievable job and save the game. He do unbelievable things."

Capitals Notes: The club announced the signing of forward Andrew Gordon, its seventh round selection in the 2004 entry draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract. The native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, amassed 22 goals and 23 assists in 40 games last season for St. Cloud State. . . . The Washington chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association has nominated Kolzig for the 2007 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.