Capitals

The Washington Capitals knew they would need to withstand a push from the New York Rangers on Friday night in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Although the Rangers started quickly, it appeared as though they weren't prepared to handle the Capitals' counterpunch. After New York's strong start, Washington answered with a second-period surge that featured goals less than two minutes apart from Jason Chimera and Jason Arnott that propelled the Capitals to a 2-0 win. Goaltender Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves to earn his first career postseason shutout; he has now stopped all but one of the 47 shots he's faced in his first pair of games in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

With his team off to a 4-1 start in his absence, Washington Capitals goaltender Don Beaupre has decided to end his nearly monthlong holdout.Beaupre, who has been home in Minneapolis since walking out of camp Sept. 18, told The Washington Post that he was returning to the team today despite not having his contract dispute settled.Capitals spokesman Lou Corletto said that although talks between general manager David Poile and Beaupre's agent have continued since the walkout, he had not heard anything from the goalie.

The Washington Capitals opened practice yesterday with unabated optimism and dreams of success in the NHL, even though they are again in the position of hoping for more offense and have not yet signed Peter Bondra, who led the Caps and the league in goal scoring last season.The Capitals have 53 players on their opening roster. General manager David Poile said yesterday he has not spoken to Bondra's agent, Rich Winter, since before the draft in July. He said Winter has asked for a number of things from the Capitals before negotiations begin.

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers are the defending Stanley Cup Champions after all, and last night they played like it, ending the Washington Capitals two-game winning streak with a 5-4 victory that made the fight for post-season playoff positions that much more interesting.The Rangers had been written off in yesterday's morning newspapers. Their season, it was said, was history. Their character, it was said, was questionable. Their playoff hopes were, it was suggested, hopeless.All that said -- and no doubt read by the Rangers -- New York came out playing like last season had never ended.

The Washington Capitals' best season in their 18-year history has come down to one game -- tonight's 7:35 game to decide the opening-round Stanley Cup playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins.A berth in the Patrick Division finals is at stake for the Capitals, who finished second overall in the NHL, were second in goals scored and second in home record. A loss would be an ignominious blow, especially because the Capitals held a 3-1 lead in games on the defending Stanley Cup champions.This was to be the Capitals' finest hour.

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Capitals recalled center Alfie Turcotte and defenseman Mark Ferner from the Baltimore Skipjacks yesterday, and they will accompany the team on a three-game trip that begins tomorrow in Calgary, Alberta.Turcotte is the Skipjacks' leading scorer, with 25 goals and 43 assists in 51 games. Ferner has 10 goals and 25 assists in 42 games, and was named last week's American Hockey League Player of the Week.They were recalled because defenseman Rod Langway's back spasms are no better and because right wing John Kordic, 25, who missed practice Tuesday, has been suspended because of alcohol-related problems.

The Washington Capitals and Baltimore Skipjacks are expected to announce later this week, probably Friday night at the Skipjacks' final regular-season home game, a continuation of their working agreement.Three years ago, the Capitals and Skipjacks began working together, with Washington handling the on-ice operation of the American Hockey League franchise, assigning the players, coaches, trainers and other on-ice personnel. The Skipjacks are concerned with the off-ice operation -- ticket sales, promotions, radio coverage and the rest.

NEW YORK -- The Washington Capitals came to Madison Square Garden last night looking to prove their worth.They came with a 4-2 record under new coach Jim Schoenfeld, including wins in four of their past five games.But last night, they were playing the New York Rangers, the best team in the NHL, a team that had beaten them four times this season.Last night, the Capitals not only stood up to adversity and beat the Rangers, 4-1, but they also dominated the last 40 minutes."We come in against the top team in the league, and we're kind of wondering about ourselves," said Capitals center Mike Ridley.

OTTAWA -- The Washington Capitals' Kevin Hatcher scored the first of three first-period power-play goals but the Ottawa Senators rallied in the second and third to deadlock the score -- 3-3 -- in the first of the two-game Capitals Cup series last night.Hatcher opened the scoring 4:46 into the first before Calle Johannsson added his goal at the 6:19 mark. Randy Burridge closed the Capitals' scoring at 13:25.

The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers battled to a 2-2 overtime tie in the opening National Hockey League exhibition game for both before a small turnout of 3,354 at the Baltimore Arena last night.Ray Sheppard and Lindy Ruff gave New York a 2-0 lead with early goals, and the Capitals rallied on goals by Mike Ridley and Steve Maltais to gain the tie.The Capitals tied the game at 10 minutes, 19 seconds of the third period on Maltais' unassisted goal. Maltais stole the puck from a defenseman, skated in on goalie John Vanbiesbrouck and shot.