Post by jenny123 on Dec 19, 2013 1:02:06 GMT -5
WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin was 4 months old the only time the Washington Capitals started a game with a quicker four-goal outburst than they produced Thursday night. What a way to start: four goals on eight shots in less than 8 1/2 minutes. John Erskine, Wojtek Wolski, John Carlson and Mike Ribeiro all scored while Ovechkin chipped in two assists during that perfect beginning before adding a goal later, and the Capitals climbed out of a tie for last in the Eastern Conference by beating the Florida Panthers 7-1 Thursday night. "Of course, its a little bit luck," the 27-year-old Ovechkin said. "But we need that kind of luck right now." The Capitals, citing the Elias Sports Bureau, said the 8-minute, 10-second spree represented the second-fastest four goals to start a game in team history. Washington accumulated four within 6:49 of the opening faceoff against the Minnesota North Stars on Jan. 21, 1986. "We wanted to jump on them early," Ribeiro said. "We were able to do that." Floridas Jacob Markstrom allowed two goals on two shots and was pulled after 3 minutes, 10 seconds -- the fastest yanking of an NHL goalie for something other than an injury in more than a year, according to STATS LLC. "I dont like to hang out anybody to dry, but obviously I dont think Jacob Markstrom was ready to play tonight," Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. Markstroms replacement, Scott Clemmensen, didnt fare much better, giving up two goals in the first six shots. Asked about that performance, Dineen said: "Its easy to hang him out to dry, but you know what? If youre the starting guy, youve got to be the go-to guy." When Dineens comments about not being ready to play were relayed to Markstrom, the goalie pursed his lips tightly, shrugged his shoulders and did not reply, ending his 75-second interview session with reporters. Here is what Markstrom did offer earlier: "I dont know what to say. I couldnt stop the puck in the first two shots or whatever, first 3 minutes. No excuse for that. It was terrible. I feel like I let the team down. Im there to stop pucks and I didnt do that tonight." Ten players each earned at least a point in Thursdays four-goal outburst. Late in the first period, Ribeiro pulled back at the end of a forward rush, content to perform the hockey equivalent of dribbling out the clock in basketball. The red-wearing fans saluted the home team with a standing ovation as the period expired. Braden Holtby made 29 saves in his 11th consecutive start, the longest streak for a Washington goalie since Olie Kolzig started 16 in a row in 2003. "Its hard to play your game in those last two periods when you have a lead," Holtby said, "but I think we did a very good job of it." The Capitals and the reigning Southeast Division champion Panthers entered tied for the fewest points in the East with 19. But after starting the season with two wins in its first 11 games, Washington has won eight of its last 11. "We started so bad that it was a big hole to climb out of, and it didnt look good," Capitals defenceman Karl Alzner said. "Were just happy that were winning games right now, and we dont want to be a .500 team." The Panthers, meanwhile, have won two of their last eight games as they deal with all sorts of injury problems, including to centre Stephen Weiss -- expected to miss the rest of the season because of a wrist surgery -- and goalie Jose Theodore. As it is, Florida began the game having allowed an NHL-worst 83 goals in 23 games, a 3.61 average. The only blemish on this night for the Capitals was the hit that forward Jason Chimera took from Floridas Tyson Strachan, who was given a game misconduct penalty. Chimera left for the locker room to get checked by a trainer, but he did eventually return to the ice. It took 20 seconds into the power play for Ovechkin to make it 5-0, diving to the ice to celebrate his ninth goal of the season. Capitals coach Adam Oates said he thought the hit was "a little late," but added: "Im glad Chimmers OK." Notes: STATS LLC said Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin was pulled after 1:35 on Feb. 20, 2012, against the Senators. ... Florida has lost its past seven games at Washington, getting outscored 31-7. ... The Capitals are 3-0 against Florida this season, part of a 6-2 mark against Southeast Division opponents; theyre 4-9-1 against everyone else. Tamba Hali Jersey . -- Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A. Ryan Succop Jersey . Clowe had been suspended indefinitely on Saturday pending a hearing, which was called as a result of his actions at the end of Fridays 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago. www.derrickjohnsonjersey.com/Authentic-Alex-Smith-Jersey/ ., had 28 points and 13 rebounds as Canada beat Egypt 84-79 on Saturday at the FIBA under-19 mens basketball world championship. Dwayne Bowe Jersey . The question might blow you away, as it did me. Who is the winningest pitcher in the National League since 2006? Yes it is the Reds 36-year-old right hander. Larry Johnson Jersey . The payroll-slashing Marlins dealt the shortstop and his $5 million salary across Florida to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night for minor league infielder Derek Dietrich.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Toronto Raptors hit the road for the first time this season, heading to Atlanta to take on the Hawks. The Raptors opened their 2013-14 campaign with a 93-87 home win over Atlantic Division rivals, the Boston Celtics. It was a nice all-around effort for Toronto. Rudy Gay led the way with 19 points, followed by 13 apiece from Amir Johnson and DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry chipped in with 11. Jonas Valanciunas, a preseason choice for Most Improved Player, only scored eight points, but pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked two shots. Tyler Hansbrough, who signed with the Raptors in the offseason, blocked three shots and grabbed 12 boards as the Raptors slaughtered the Celtics by 15 on the glass. The Raptors clobbered Boston 28-11 in the second quarter, but the Celtics bounced back with a 34-22 second quarter. The lull left a bad taste in head coach Dwane Caseys mouth. "I thought we grinded it out when it got tough and they made their run," said Casey. "I like the way our guys bounced back, but we should have never put ourselves in that hole." The Hawks meanwhile are looking to get their first victory of the season in their home opener. They fell to the Dallaas Mavericks, 118-109, in Dallas on Wednesday.dddddddddddd It marked the first time they opened a season without Josh Smith since the 2003-04 season. Jeff Teague, who was re-signed in the offseason, had 24 points and missed a double-double by one assist. It wasnt all roses for Teague as he committed six turnovers. Paul Millsap, the prize free agent who will replace Smith, had 20 points in his Atlanta debut. DeMarre Carroll (14) and Al Horford (11) scored in double figures as starters and Cartier Martin, another free-agent newcomer, netted a whopping 17 points in less than 17 minutes of action. The offense worked fine for the Hawks on Wednesday, it was the other side of the ball that was a struggle. The Mavericks scored 118 points, shot 57 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from long range. "We played well at times, but give them credit for playing better longer," said new Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer. "Weve got to get a lot better. Were not going to be successful if thats the kind of defense (we play)." The Hawks have taken 13 of the last 16 contests between the two squads, although the Raptors bested them the last time the teams met in Atlanta last season. ' ' '