Beaupre

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With nearly all their offensive weapons on display and two veteran goalies sharing the net last night, the Washington Capitals earned their fourth preseason victory in five games, beating the Quebec Nordiques, 6-1, before 5,125 at Independence Arena.Today, the road show moves to Greensboro for a 7 p.m. game against the Florida Panthers.The Caps scored four times in an 8:57 span of the second period, with Steve Konowalchuk, Peter Bondra, Kerry Clark and Michal Pivonka scoring.

NEW YORK -- Washington goaltender Don Beaupre was irked yesterday because the Capitals offered him a termination contract, meaning the team wants him back next season but isn't sure about two years from now."How can I be happy?" said Beaupre. "You do what you think is a good job. You play a big part in the first-round upset of Pittsburgh in the playoffs. And what reward do you get? If someone gives me a better deal, I'm going to take it."Caps general manager David Poile said the decision is a "calculated risk" based on Beaupre's $925,000 deal and his age, 32."

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals couldn't have picked a worse time to play their worst game of the post-season.Down 2-0 in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, playing on their home ice and planning to throw "everything they have" at the New York Rangers, the Capitals were desperate for victory.The desperation will be even greater tomorrow, in Game 4, because the Capitals did little to prevent the New York Rangers from walking off with a 3-0 victory behind the fine play of goalie Mike Richter.

LANDOVER -- During the Stanley Cup playoffs, Washington Capitals coach Jim Schoenfeld has steadfastly refused to divulge his starting goaltender until after the game-day skate.But yesterday, he startled reporters by volunteering that Don Beaupre will be in net tonight for Game 3 of this best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series with the New York Rangers.The Capitals are down 2-0 in the series, which continues with tonight's game and Game 4 at the USAir Arena.If the Capitals hope to send the series back to New York, it will take a sterling performance from their goalie, as well as everyone else on the ice."

NEW YORK -- Before the Washington Capitals can think about overcoming the New York Rangers in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, they must prove themselves survivors in Game 2 tonight.If that task seemed hard after Washington's 6-3 Game 1 loss at Madison Square Garden Sunday, it appeared more daunting yesterday.Washington learned it will be without center Michal Pivonka for at least seven to 10 days with a pulled groin and goalie Don Beaupre, who also suffered a groin pull in Game 1, for at least tonight's game.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals aren't trying to fool anybody. It is a team that is very aware of where it is and what it has to do.The Capitals are the only NHL team to lose two playoff series after having a three games to one lead and know the bitterness of falling short.Washington, in position to knock out the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, is still in position to deliver the blow tonight in Game 6."No one said it would be easy," said Capitals goalie Don Beaupre, who has been in net for the three Washington victories.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals used a sparkling goaltending performance by Don Beaupre and a surprising two-goal contribution from defenseman Joe Reekie to shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-0, in Game 3 last night of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.The victory gives the Capitals a two-games-to-one lead in the series that returns to USAir Arena tomorrow night. Game 4 already is sold out."For me, it's exciting," said Reekie, who scored the winning, short-handed goal with 14:11 gone in the second period.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals used a sparkling goaltending performance by Don Beaupre and a surprising two-goal contribution from defenseman Joe Reekie to shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-0, in Game 3 last night of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.The victory gives the Capitals a two-games-to-one lead in the series that returns to USAir Arena tomorrow night. Game 4 already is sold out."For me, it's exciting," said Reekie, who scored the winning, short-handed goal with 14:11 gone in the second period.

PITTSBURGH -- The Washington Capitals came into the den of the Pittsburgh Penguins last night and walked out with a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.But there was no wild celebration in the Capitals' locker room. There were barely any smiles."I think it's very important not to celebrate too much right now," said team captain Kevin Hatcher. "This is just one game. We found out a couple years ago that the Penguins can make this a very long and very frustrating series."

LANDOVER -- New York Islanders left wing Benoit Hogue sent the Washington Capitals down to a disappointing 4-3 defeat last night when he skated in for a goal from point-blank range with 1:26 left in overtime at USAir Arena.Washington goaltender Don Beaupre was helpless once Hogue easily penetrated the Capitals' defense.The loss was the second straight for the Capitals, who lost 2-0 and 3-2 leads and continue to struggle in their attempt to wrap up a playoff berth.It was also a costly night as the Capitals lost defenseman Jim Johnson with a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.