SB Nation DC - John Erskine's Big Night Gives Capitals 6-4 Victory Over Thrashershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2010-11-14T20:13:01-05:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15778872010-11-14T20:13:01-05:002010-11-14T20:13:01-05:00Thrashers Vs. Capitals: John Erskine Hits Gamewinner For Washington Win
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<p>Earlier in the night, he won what could be deemed the <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/11/14/1814194/video-john-erskine-vs-eric-boulton-in-hockey-fight-of-the-year">hockey fight of the year</a>. Then, with just over seven minutes remaining, he made sure the Capitals would win as well.</p>
<p>Erskine delivered the win with a laser shot from the blueline past Ondrej Pavelec and into the net. David Steckel set up the goal by carrying the puck into Atlanta's zone and drawing two Thrashers players before laying the puck off for Erskine to take the open shot.</p>
<p>Steckel also added an empty net goal after winning a face-off with 0:37 remaining in the game.</p>
<p>Six different Capitals scored the six goals in this contest, with 14 different players scoring at least one point.</p>
<p>Erskine is very quietly having an excellent season for Washington. It might not be so quiet anymore though after his big day. He helped <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/11/13/1812361/capitals-vs-sabres-score-preview-ryan-miller">set up the tying goal yesterday </a>with some strong defensive work, but tonight's performance will get him noticed across the league.</p>
<p>The win allowed the Capitals to extend their early lead in the Southeast Division to seven points. They will get a chance to pay back the Buffalo Sabres for yesterday's loss on Wednesday night before traveling down to Atlanta on Friday.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/11/14/1814267/thrashers-vs-capitals-john-erskine-hits-gamewinner-for-washington-winMartin Shatzer2010-11-14T18:53:55-05:002010-11-14T18:53:55-05:00Thrashers Vs. Capitals: Atlanta's Andrew Ladd Scores 2 To Tie The Game At 4
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<p>The Atlanta Thrashers have come back from a 3-1 first period defict to draw the high-scoring game between these two Southeast Division foes at 4-4.</p>
<p>Two of the Thrashers' goals came from Andrew Ladd. A member of the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks last season, Ladd was brought to Atlanta along with three other former Blackhawks to help change the culture in Atlanta. He's done it well. Ladd scored early in the period to trim Washington's lead to one, and then added another goal shorthanded after stealing the puck from Alex Ovechkin with 9:00 gone. The goal had to be reviewed, and it was upheld.</p>
<p>The Capitals have goals tonight from four of their superstars. Ovechkin, Mike Green, Alexander Semin, and ... Matt Hendricks?! The big forward started the possession into Atlanta's zone, then passed to Green who put the puck on frame. Hendricks found the rebound though and converted for Washington's fourth goal of the night.</p>
<p>The first Thrashers goal tonight came 13:14 in the first period and it came with some controversy. Tobias Enstrom shot the puck with just five seonds left on an Atlanta power play. The puck apeared to be saved by Neuvirth but trickled across the line.</p>
<p>We could be in for a big finish at the Verizon Center.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/11/14/1814111/thrashers-vs-capitals-andrew-ladd-matt-hendricks-tie-gameMartin Shatzer2010-11-14T16:39:21-05:002010-11-14T16:39:21-05:00Atlanta Thrashers Vs. Washington Capitals: Washington Looks To Start A New Streak
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<p>The <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Capitals</a> saw their six-game winning streak end in a 3-2 overtime loss to the <a href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Sabres</a> last night, but they immediately have a chance to start a new one. They will host the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/atlanta-thrashers" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Thrashers</a> at the Verizon Center today at 5 p.m.</p>
<p>The Capitals have traditionally dominated the Thrashers, but Atlanta has played much better against Washington this season. They defeated the Capitals 4-2 on opening night, and challenged them before losing 4-3 in overtime at the Verizon Center on October 23. Atlanta brought in several players from the Stanley Cup-winning <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Blackhawks</a> this summer, and it's helped make them more competitive.</p>
<p><span>Michal Neuvirth</span> will get the start in goal for Washington after <span>Braden Holtby</span> started last night. The Capitals will also be without defensemen <span>Tom Poti</span>, who will miss his second straight game due to injury.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2010/11/14/2324338/atlanta-thrashers-vs-washington-capitals-washington-looks-to-start-aMike Prada