GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NHL: WASHINGTON (0-0) at ATLANTA (0-0)

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NHL END OF THE 3RD 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 2 0 1 3
ATLANTA 0 1 0 1 END OF THE 3RD

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: WAS - (PP) MICHAEL NYLANDER 1 (NICKLAS BACKSTROM) 10:41
WAS - JOHN ERSKINE 1 (UNASSISTED) 12:03
2ND PRD: ATL - BRYAN LITTLE 1 (ILYA KOVALCHUK, ALEXEI ZHITNIK) 14:54
3RD PRD: WAS - VIKTOR KOZLOV 1 (MIKE GREEN, ALEXANDER OVECHKIN) 5:27

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WAS 14 12 14 40
ATL 8 12 9 29

GOALIES: WAS - BRENT JOHNSON
ATL - KARI LEHTONEN</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 2 0 1 3
ATLANTA 0 1 0 1 FINAL

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: WAS - (PP) MICHAEL NYLANDER 1 (NICKLAS BACKSTROM) 10:41
WAS - JOHN ERSKINE 1 (UNASSISTED) 12:03
2ND PRD: ATL - BRYAN LITTLE 1 (ILYA KOVALCHUK, ALEXEI ZHITNIK) 14:54
3RD PRD: WAS - VIKTOR KOZLOV 1 (MIKE GREEN, ALEXANDER OVECHKIN) 5:27

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: WAS - 1 OF 7, ATL - 0 OF 4.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WAS 14 12 14 40
ATL 8 12 9 29

GOALIES: WAS - BRENT JOHNSON
ATL - KARI LEHTONEN

OFFICIALS: REF - BRAD WATSON, WES MCCAULEY
LIN - MICHEL CORMIER, STEVE MILLER

ATT: NA</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 2 0 1 --3
Atlanta 0 1 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 14 12 14 --40
Atlanta 8 12 9 --29
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 1 of 7, Atlanta - 0 of 4. Goalies
: Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: NA.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.</div>

 

By Phil Foley
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ATLANTA (Ticker) -- On the night the Atlanta Thrashers raisedtheir first division championship banner to the rafters, theWashington Capitals served notice that they will be a force inthe Southeast this season.


Viktor Kozlov scored in his Washington debut and Brent Johnsonturned aside 28 shots to lead the Capitals to a 3-1 win over theThrashers in the season opener for both clubs on Friday.

Last season was one of firsts for the Thrashers' organization,which won its first division title by recording a franchise-best97 points en route to its first playoff appearance. Atlanta'sstay in the postseason was brief, as the team was swept by theNew York Rangers in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, the Capitals struggled through their 2006-07campaign, amassing just 70 points to bring up the rear in thedivision. But with the addition of Kozlov and several othersand the maturation of superstar Alex Ovechkin and AlexanderSemin, Washington sought to forget about last season's dismalcampaign.


They got the season off to a good start on Friday.

Midway through the first period, rookie Nicklas Backstrom foundcenter Michael Nylander, who wristed a shot off goaltender KariLehtonen's right pad during a power play at 10:41 to giveWashington a 1-0 lead.


It was the first career point for Backstrom, the fourth overallpick in the 2006 draft. The talented Swede scored 40 points in45 games for Byrnas of the Swedish Elite League last season.

A defensive miscue by Atlanta led to Washington's next goal 72seconds later.


Thrashers blue-liner Ken Klee misplayed the puck, which foundthe stick of fellow defenseman John Erskine, who laced a slapshot from above the right faceoff circle past Lehtonen to givethe Capitals a 2-0 advantage.


It was only the fifth goal in 171 games for the 27-year-oldErskine, who last found the net last December 2 against Buffalo.

Rookie Bryan Little, the 12th overall pick in 2006, halved thedeficit with 5:06 remaining in the second period. The19-year-old grabbed his own rebound and put a backhander behindJohnson for his first career tally, becoming the first player infranchise history to score a goal in his NHL debut.

The Capitals regained their two-goal advantage when Kozlov<div class="pre">deflected defenseman Mike Green's slap shot by Lehtonen at 5:27</div>of the third period.


Johnson stopped 28 shots for the Capitals, including a breakawayby Marian Hossa with eight minutes remaining in the secondperiod.


Lehtonen made 37 saves for Atlanta, which fell to 1-3-1 inseason openers at home.

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">CORRECTION

NHL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 2 0 1 3
ATLANTA 0 1 0 1 FINAL

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: WAS - (PP) MICHAEL NYLANDER 1 (NICKLAS BACKSTROM) 10:41
WAS - JOHN ERSKINE 1 (UNASSISTED) 12:03
2ND PRD: ATL - BRYAN LITTLE 1 (ILYA KOVALCHUK, ALEXEI ZHITNIK) 14:54
3RD PRD: WAS - VIKTOR KOZLOV 1 (MIKE GREEN, ALEXANDER OVECHKIN) 5:27

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: WAS - 1 OF 7, ATL - 0 OF 4.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WAS 14 12 13 39
ATL 8 12 9 29

GOALIES: WAS - BRENT JOHNSON
ATL - KARI LEHTONEN

OFFICIALS: REF - BRAD WATSON, WES MCCAULEY
LIN - MICHEL CORMIER, STEVE MILLER

ATT: 18,707</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 2 0 1 --3
Atlanta 0 1 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 14 12 13 --39
Atlanta 8 12 9 --29
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 1 of 7, Atlanta - 0 of 4. Goalies
: Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (39 shots, 36 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,707.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 2 0 1 --3
ATLANTA 0 1 0 --1
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 14 12 13 --39
ATLANTA 8 12 9 --29
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: WAS - 1 of 7, ATL - 0 of 4. Goalies :
Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (39 shots, 36 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,707.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

WASHINGTON ATLANTA
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
M Bradley 0 0 even 0 B Little 1 0 +1 3
B Gordon 0 0 +1 0 E Perrin 0 0 -1 5
C Clark 0 0 +1 1 T White 0 0 +1 2
M Pettinger 0 0 +1 6 V Kozlov 0 0 even 3
N Backstrom 0 1 -1 0 B Holik 0 0 even 2
B Pothier 0 0 +1 3 I Kovalchuk 0 1 +1 3
B Laich 0 0 even 2 M Hossa 0 0 even 2
M Jurcina 0 0 even 1 G Exelby 0 0 -2 0
V Kozlov 1 0 +1 7 B Sterling 0 0 -1 0
S Morrisonn 0 0 -1 1 K Klee 0 0 -1 1
T Poti 0 0 +1 3 J Slater 0 0 -1 0
D Steckel 0 0 even 1 N Havelid 0 0 +1 2
J Erskine 1 0 even 2 B Larsen 0 0 -1 0
T Fleischmann 0 0 +1 1 E Boulton 0 0 -1 0
M Green 0 1 even 1 T Enstrom 0 0 even 3
A Ovechkin 0 1 +1 6 S McCarthy 0 0 -1 1
D Brashear 0 0 even 0 A Zhitnik 0 1 +1 2
M Nylander 1 0 -1 4 P Dupuis 0 0 -1 0
B Sutherby HEALTHY M Popovic HEALTHY
J Schultz HEALTHY C Thorburn HEALTHY</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
WASHINGTON 3
ATLANTA 1</div>

 

By Phil Foley
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ATLANTA (Ticker) -- On the night the Atlanta Thrashers raisedtheir first division championship banner to the rafters, theWashington Capitals served notice that they will be a force inthe Southeast this season.


Viktor Kozlov scored in his Washington debut and Brent Johnsonturned aside 28 shots to lead the Capitals to a 3-1 win over theThrashers in the season opener for both clubs on Friday.

Last season was one of firsts for the Thrashers' organization,which won its first division title by recording a franchise-best97 points en route to its first playoff appearance. Atlanta'sstay in the postseason was brief, as the team was swept by theNew York Rangers in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, the Capitals struggled through their 2006-07campaign, amassing just 70 points to bring up the rear in thedivision. But with the addition of Kozlov and several othersand the maturation of superstar Alex Ovechkin and AlexanderSemin, Washington sought to forget about last season's dismalcampaign.


They got the season off to a good start on Friday.

"The two (new) players (Michael Nylander and Kozlov) were hugefor us," Washington coach Glen Hanlon said. "I thought we did alot of things right."


Midway through the first period, rookie Nicklas Backstrom foundNylander, who wristed a shot off goaltender Kari Lehtonen'sright pad during a power play at 10:41 to give Washington a 1-0lead.


It was the first career point for Backstrom, the fourth overallpick in the 2006 draft. The talented Swede scored 40 points in45 games for Byrnas of the Swedish Elite League last season.

"I was really excited for this game," the 19-year-old Backstromsaid. "I am happy the team won. It was a dream of mine as akid to play in the NHL."


A defensive miscue by Atlanta led to Washington's next goal 72seconds later.


Thrashers blue-liner Ken Klee misplayed the puck, which foundthe stick of fellow defenseman John Erskine, who laced a slapshot from above the right faceoff circle past Lehtonen to givethe Capitals a 2-0 advantage.


It was only the fifth goal in 171 games for the 27-year-oldErskine, who last found the net last December 2 against Buffalo.

"It felt pretty good," Erskine said of his rare goal. "I don'tget too many of them. I was glad to get it over with in thefirst game."


Rookie Bryan Little, the 12th overall pick in 2006, halved thedeficit with 5:06 remaining in the second period. The19-year-old grabbed his own rebound and put a backhander behindJohnson for his first career tally, becoming the first player infranchise history to score a goal in his NHL debut.

"(Ilya Kovalchuk) came down and made a good pass," said Little,who notched 41 goals and 66 assists for Barrie of the OntarioHockey League last season. "I missed wide on the first one, andwhen I got (the puck) in the corner, I kind of threw it. I gotlucky, but I'll take it."


The Capitals regained their two-goal advantage when Kozlov<div class="pre">deflected defenseman Mike Green's slap shot by Lehtonen at 5:27</div>of the third period.


"It's very important to start the season the right way," Kozlovsaid. "Right now, we need to continue the same way. It beginsagain tomorrow for us again, and it's going to be like thisevery game."


Johnson stopped 28 shots for the Capitals, including a breakawayby Marian Hossa with eight minutes remaining in the secondperiod.


"They worked much harder at the beginning of the game, got aquick 2-0 lead and were pushing and pushing," Lehtonen said. "Wewere looking for a solid game to get a good start. We didn'tget a good start. We came back, but it wasn't good enough."

"We certainly didn't skate very well, and that put us on ourheels," Thrashers coach Bob Hartley said. "In the second andthird periods, I thought we did some good things, but the damagewas done."


Lehtonen made 37 saves for Atlanta, which fell to 1-3-1 inseason openers at home.

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 2 0 1 --3
Atlanta 0 1 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 14 12 14 --40
Atlanta 8 12 9 --29
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 1 of 7, Atlanta - 0 of 4. Goalies
: Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,707.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 2 0 1 --3
ATLANTA 0 1 0 --1
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 14 12 14 --40
ATLANTA 8 12 9 --29
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: WAS - 1 of 7, ATL - 0 of 4. Goalies :
Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,707.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

WASHINGTON ATLANTA
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
M Bradley 0 0 even 0 B Little 1 0 +1 3
B Gordon 0 0 +1 0 E Perrin 0 0 -1 5
C Clark 0 0 +1 1 T White 0 0 +1 2
M Pettinger 0 0 +1 7 V Kozlov 0 0 even 3
N Backstrom 0 1 -1 0 B Holik 0 0 even 2
B Pothier 0 0 +1 3 I Kovalchuk 0 1 +1 3
B Laich 0 0 even 2 M Hossa 0 0 even 2
M Jurcina 0 0 even 1 G Exelby 0 0 -2 0
V Kozlov 1 0 +1 7 B Sterling 0 0 -1 0
S Morrisonn 0 0 -1 1 K Klee 0 0 -1 1
T Poti 0 0 +1 3 J Slater 0 0 -1 0
D Steckel 0 0 even 1 N Havelid 0 0 +1 2
J Erskine 1 0 even 2 B Larsen 0 0 -1 0
T Fleischmann 0 0 +1 1 E Boulton 0 0 -1 0
M Green 0 1 even 1 T Enstrom 0 0 even 3
A Ovechkin 0 1 +1 6 S McCarthy 0 0 -1 1
D Brashear 0 0 even 0 A Zhitnik 0 1 +1 2
M Nylander 1 0 -1 4 P Dupuis 0 0 -1 0
B Sutherby HEALTHY M Popovic HEALTHY
J Schultz HEALTHY C Thorburn HEALTHY</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON AT ATLANTA
NOTE: RESENDING BOX SCORE TO CORRECT SHOTS ON GOAL FOR
WASHINGTON AND GOALIE STATISTICS FOR ATLANTA'S
KARI LEHTONEN.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
WASHINGTON 3
ATLANTA 1</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 2 0 1 --3
Atlanta 0 1 0 --1
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 14 12 14 --40
Atlanta 8 12 9 --29
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 1 of 7, Atlanta - 0 of 4. Goalies
: Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,707.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 2 0 1 --3
ATLANTA 0 1 0 --1
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Washington, Michael Nylander 1 (power play)
(Nicklas Backstrom), 10:41. 2, Washington, John Erskine 1
(Unassisted), 12:03. Penalties: T White, Atl (hooking), 8:53; K Klee,
Atl (hooking), 16:23; M Pettinger, Was (interference), 18:23.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Atlanta, Bryan Little 1 (Ilya Kovalchuk,
Alexei Zhitnik), 14:54. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (slashing), 2:27; E
Boulton, Atl (interference), 5:00; A Zhitnik, Atl (cross checking),
6:10; C Clark, Was (goalie interference), 6:10; J Erskine, Was
(tripping), 12:05; I Kovalchuk, Atl (cross checking), 16:24; J Slater,
Atl (high sticking), 16:40.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 4, Washington, Viktor Kozlov 1 (Mike Green,
Alexander Ovechkin), 5:27. Penalties: B Pothier, Was (hooking), 2:39;
J Slater, Atl (hooking), 6:15; K Klee, Atl (high sticking), 7:47.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 14 12 14 --40
ATLANTA 8 12 9 --29
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: WAS - 1 of 7, ATL - 0 of 4. Goalies :
Washington, Brent Johnson (29 shots, 28 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,707.
Referees: Brad Watson, Wes Mccauley. Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve
Miller.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

WASHINGTON ATLANTA
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
M Bradley 0 0 even 0 B Little 1 0 +1 3
B Gordon 0 0 +1 0 E Perrin 0 0 -1 5
C Clark 0 0 even 1 T White 0 0 +1 2
M Pettinger 0 0 +1 7 V Kozlov 0 0 even 3
N Backstrom 0 1 -1 0 B Holik 0 0 even 2
B Pothier 0 0 +1 3 I Kovalchuk 0 1 +1 3
B Laich 0 0 even 2 M Hossa 0 0 even 2
M Jurcina 0 0 even 1 G Exelby 0 0 -2 0
V Kozlov 1 0 +1 7 B Sterling 0 0 -1 0
S Morrisonn 0 0 -1 1 K Klee 0 0 -1 1
T Poti 0 0 +1 3 J Slater 0 0 -1 0
D Steckel 0 0 even 1 N Havelid 0 0 +1 2
J Erskine 1 0 +1 2 B Larsen 0 0 -1 0
T Fleischmann 0 0 +1 1 E Boulton 0 0 -1 0
M Green 0 1 even 1 T Enstrom 0 0 even 3
A Ovechkin 0 1 +1 6 S McCarthy 0 0 -1 1
D Brashear 0 0 even 0 A Zhitnik 0 1 +1 2
M Nylander 1 0 -1 4 P Dupuis 0 0 -1 0
B Sutherby HEALTHY M Popovic HEALTHY
J Schultz HEALTHY C Thorburn HEALTHY</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON AT ATLANTA
NOTE: RESENDING TO CORRECT PLUS.MINUS OF ERSKINE AND
CLARK</div>