Caps’ Juggled Up Lines Beat Ottawa
By Rodger M. Wood
Coach Boudreau’s juggled up Caps lines paid late dividends, scoring three goals midway through the third period to beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 at the Verizon Center last night.The Senators played a solid game until they unraveled in the 3rd period under the intensepressure of Caps back checking. Benefiting from new line mates, Alex O. and Marcus Johansson’s hard checks in the corners freeing up the puck, Brooks Laich scored over Senators goaltender, Brian Elliott’s shoulder to tie the game 1-1 at 7:15 mark.
Forty-five seconds later, John Carlson made the Senators pay for Milan Michalek’s cheap shot of Karl Alzner into the boards, when he put the Caps ahead 2-1 with their first power play goal in 11 attempts.Jason Chimera scored the decisive third goal, assisted by David Steckel and Karl Alzner at the 13.31 mark.Caps goalie Michael Neuvirth stopped 22 of 23 shots, won his 15th game of the season (15-6-4 overall). He only faltered on Mike Fisher’s 12th goal of the season at the 1:12 mark of the first period. He looked sharp the remainder of the game, much like the good goalie he was this past October.Tied for first place in the Southeast Division with the Tampa Bay at 57 points each, the Caps start a crucial three game road trip at Philadelphia Tuesday.
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