Keith Jones

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Playing in his 600th NHL game yesterday, Washington Capitals defenseman Sylvain Cote returned to the place his career began and helped beat his former team.Cote had a goal and an assist to spark Washington's three-goal third period in a 3-1 victory over the Whalers before 10,016 at the Hartford Civic Center.It was the Capitals' third win in a row and 11th in 16 games since Jim Schoenfeld became coach Jan. 27.After two frustrating periods in which Hartford goalie Sean Burke stopped 21 shots and Washington fell behind 1-0, Cote led a third-period charge, assisting on the tying goal and scoring the Capitals' third goal.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals continued to abuse Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings yesterday at the Capital Centre.The Capitals made life miserable for the National Hockey League's all-time points leader and his teammates for the second time in eight days, streaking to an easy 7-3 victory.Washington outscored the Kings 17-6 in the two victories, highlighting a five-game winning streak that has given the Capitals a little breathing room in second place in the Patrick Division (66 points to 61 for the third-place New Jersey Devils)

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals' personality profile probably includes a reference to Jekyll and Hyde that Washington Capitals coach Terry Murray could do without.Thirty games into the NHL season, it hardly would seem necessary to remind the Capitals of their tendency toward individual play when a lead is in hand.Still, last night's performance left Murray and the 14,522 fans at the Capital Centre with images of goal-scorers dancing in their heads.The line of Peter Bondra, Dimitri Khristich and Michal Pivonka played with the panache of last year for the first time this season.

The Skipjacks' Keith Jones seems intent on making a habit of being cruel to Bears.The 23-year-old right wing from Ontario scored two goals, both on power plays, in the Skipjacks' 4-2 victory over the Hershey Bears last night before 2,867 at the Baltimore Arena. His goals -- the last two of the game -- came late in the first period and 5:10 into the second.Jones scored four goals in last Tuesday's 7-5 exhibition win over the Bears at the Arena in the Skipjacks' final tuneup for the season opener.