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BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON (AP) -- With an outstanding effort from goalie Olaf
Kolzig, the Washington Capitals avoided the back-home blahs and ran
their winning streak to 10 games.
|  | | Olaf Kolzig made 24 oft-spectacular saves for the Caps. |
Kolzig, who allowed at least three goals for five straight
games, made 24 saves as the Capitals returned home from the most
successful road trip in franchise history with Wednesday's 2-1
victory over the Nashville Predators.
Jeff Halpern and Dmitri Khristich scored for the Capitals,
playing their first home game in 20 days after the 5-0-1 West Coast
swing. Washington is 8-0-2 over 10 games, and coach Ron Wilson
didn't want a letdown just because the traveling was done.
"I was concerned about that," Wilson said. "The first one's
going to be the hardest, and we're fortunate that Nashville had a
tough game last night. They didn't probably have the energy in the
third period, so we continue this streak because we've been
fortunate in the timing of who we've played against."
Greg Johnson scored for the Predators, a strange goal set up by
a deflection off a referee's skate and ruined Kolzig's shutout. The
break made up for a hard-luck second period in which Nashville
consistently had the puck flying in front of the crease with nothing to show for it because of Kolzig.
"The giant was good tonight," coach Barry Trotz said. "He was really the difference. I thought in the second period he was fantastic."
Tomas Vokoun made 16 saves in his first start since Jan. 24 for
the Predators. Usual starter Mike Dunham strained his neck in
Tuesday night's 3-3 tie with Detroit and is day-to-day.
The Capitals usually couldn't dream of winning more than two in
a row unless their Vezina Trophy winner is solid, yet the unbeaten
streak continued despite some soft goals.
"There were some goals on the road that I normally stop, that
somehow found their way through my body, and that's not how I like
to play," Kolzig said. "I had two good days of practice, and I
felt confident out there."
The Capitals used an extra skater to score the first goal during a long delayed-penalty call. Halpern, stationed to the left of the crease, collected a deflected shot that quickly rebounded behind the net. He slid the puck home before Vokoun could react at 8:44 of the first period.
The Capitals killed off a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:15 late in the
first period and early in the second before Khristich made it 2-0
with a power-play goal deposited precisely over Vokoun's right
shoulder at the near post.
Nashville outshot Washington 13-4 in the second period, but it
took a lucky carom to get on the board. Referee Blaine Angus' skate
deflected Richard Zednik's attempt to clear behind the net, sending
the puck right to Cliff Ronning for the easy assist on Johnson's goal.
Patric Kjellberg had the best chance to tie on a breakaway with
13:20 to go, but he put the puck into Kolzig's pads.
"The difference, when it was said and done, was goaltending,"
Trotz said.
Game notes
The Predators have allowed the first goal in seven straight
games. ... The Capitals got their 30th win in their 60th game -- just as they did last year. ... The Capitals are undefeated (8-0-4)
when Halpern scores.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Nashville Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Carolina 6
Atlanta 3
Pittsburgh 3
Florida 2
Washington 2
Nashville 1
Vancouver 2
Montreal 1
Detroit 7
Chicago 3
Dallas 6
Minnesota 2
Phoenix 3
Columbus 2
Colorado 8
Boston 2
Anaheim 1
San Jose 0
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Rob Zettler's shot goes off the boards and onto Jeff Halpern's stick for the goal.
avi: 561 k
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