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Early Hat Trick Sinks Capitals
The Hurricanes' Cory Stillman gets one of his three goals past Capitals goaltender Olie Kolzig. Stillman also had an assist in the game.
(Karl B. DeBlaker - AP)
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Clark could join the team at some point this week; Semin isn't likely to play before next week.
With or without those key players, many Capitals said afterward that being shorthanded is still no excuse for what happened.
"It's unacceptable to be dealing with this," Morrisonn said. "Something's got to change or we're not going to be able to compete."
Stillman's first tally marked the fourth time in the past six games that the Capitals surrendered a goal on their opponent's first shot.
Stillman's second goal came at 7:14 after a slick pass from Ray Whitney. Stillman split the Capitals' defense and faked Olie Kolzig, depositing the puck behind the beaten goaltender.
Stillman completed his milestone performance at 11:28 after banging in a perfect pass from Erik Cole, eliciting a shower of hats from the seats.
Staal's 10th goal of the season came with Brashear in the locker room, sent off after a five-minute boarding infraction for checking Hurricanes defenseman Dennis Seidenberg between the shoulder blades and into the glass, opening a gash over his right eye.
Kolzig (19 saves) gave way to Brent Johnson (nine) early in the third period.
"Three power-play goals against, it took away some of our momentum," Hanlon said. "I thought we had a good start to the game, but we had a miscue on the first power-play goal, on the second, the forward has a bad read, and they end up with a breakaway. The penalties really set us back."
Capitals Notes: Alex Ovechkin hit Pettinger on the side of the helmet with a wrist shot during a second-period power play. Pettinger, who escaped with only bruised cheek, was far more fortunate than Clark was. He was hit on the left ear by an Ovechkin slap shot 11 days ago and hasn't played since.
