Tabaracci

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Washington coach Terry Murray keeps saying if his Capitals play basic, team-oriented hockey, they can beat anyone in the NHL.Last night, for the second time in back-to-back games, the Capitals played as if they believe him.Goalie Rick Tabaracci recorded his fifth career shutout and second in 11 days, beating the streaking New Jersey Devils, 4-0.The Capitals defense gave up 32 shots, but only a handful were dangerous.And the major thrust of the offense came from center Michal Pivonka and right wing Peter Bondra, two of the men Washington had determined to be their offensive leaders this season.

LANDOVER -- This game was billed as Dale Hunter's return against the New York Rangers' Alexei Kovalev, who administered the hit that put Hunter out for 10 games.But Hunter played only 16 minutes and didn't come close to Kovalev. Instead, it was a duel of hot goaltenders -- New York's Glenn Healy, who was getting his first start in a month, and the Washington Capitals' Rick Tabaracci, who picked up where he left off Tuesday night at The Spectrum against the Philadelphia Flyers.The teams were locked in a scoreless tie for 49 minutes and 52 seconds.

BasketballLos Angeles Clippers -- Re-signed G Gary Grant to a two-year contract.HockeyHartford Whalers -- Sent G Mario Gosselin to AHL Springfield.Washington Capitals -- Recalled G Rick Tabaracci from AHL Portland.

The Washington Capitals recalled goaltender Byron Dafoe from the Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League yesterday, and he will join the club tonight for its game against the New Jersey Devils.The move was in response to a strained hamstring suffered by goalie Rick Tabaracci in Monday night's 5-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.Dafoe, 23, was 24-17-6 with a 3.37 goals-against average for Phoenix this season.

PHILADELPHIA -- As if the Washington Capitals had not had enough trouble dealing with the present, last night they were haunted by their past.In a robust demonstration of confrontation -- and even a little bit of hockey -- the Caps were beaten, 5-3, by a Philadelphia Flyers team coached by Terry Murray.Murray coached the Caps from 1989-90 through the first 47 games of last season. Now he is guiding a struggling Philadelphia team that can claim at least one thing: It is not struggling as much as Washington.

The Washington Capitals' goaltending situation seems to have settled into what they had planned on in training camp, with Don Beaupre and Rick Tabaracci sharing the load.But appearances can be deceiving. After rookie goalie Olie Kolzig skated for the first time yesterday since injuring his kneecap Oct. 13 in Toronto, Capitals coach Terry Murray said a future assignment in Portland is not automatic."I haven't talked to David [general manager David Poile] about that yet, but if he comes around fast, maybe I'll get him into a game here right away," Murray said.

Opponent: Florida PanthersSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7:35TV: NoneRadio: WMAL (630 AM)Tickets: 900 availableOutlook: With its 2-1 victory at Florida on Thursday, the Capitals beat the Panthers for the first time this season and edged ahead by two points in the Eastern Conference standings. Don Beaupre, whose goals-against average is 2.15 his past eight games, will be in net again, as Rick Tabaracci recovers from a knee strain. The Caps are unbeaten in eight of their past nine games. Washington C Dave Poulin (asthma)