Playoff berths are not earned in the month of October. But they can easily be lost in it.
The Capitals, who to a man spoke throughout training camp about the need for a strong beginning to the 2007-08 season, have quickly turned words into actions with their best opening week since 2002.
The latest triumph was a come-from-behind 2-1 win at the New York Islanders on Monday afternoon. Forward Brooks Laich scored the go-ahead goal 7 minutes, 58 seconds into the third period, his first since Feb. 27, and goalie Olie Kolzig held off several late Islanders chances to preserve the victory.
“Three games in 66 hours andtwo of those on the road?,” said Laich, whose team won at Atlanta on Friday and beat Carolina at Verizon Center on Saturday. “That’s a tough way to start any season. So for us to win all three is huge. We’re happy with the way we’ve gelled as a team.”
Forward Viktor Kozlov registered his second goal of the year for the Caps, tying the game, coincidentally, at 7:58 of the second period after a pass from linemate Alex Ovechkin. Kolzig finished with 30 saves and earned his second win of the season.
“They had us in the deep-freeze a little bit,” said Laich, who spent some of his afternoon on the second line with center Michael Nylander and left wing Nicklas Backstrom. “Not a lot of odd-man rushes for either team. So we had to take advantage of the ones we did get.”
Laich’s goal started after a turnover by Islanders center Mike Comrie. Nylander skated circles around the New York defense and dished to Brian Pothier, whose open point shot rebounded off goalie Rick DiPietro.
“He doesn’t give those up too often,” said Laich, who pounced on the loose puck and flipped it into the net.
The penalty kill continues to be a strength for the Caps, who killed off all four Islanders power plays in the second period, including 1:34 of a 5-on-3. Washington has not allowed a power play goal in 12 chances so far.
A Capital Start
» The Capitals last won their first four games of a season in 1997. They played in the Stanley Cup finals that year — their only trip to the finals in franchise history.
» Forward Alexander Semin sat out Monday’s game against the Islanders with an ankle sprain. Semin also missed the season opener at Atlanta, although he did play Saturday against Carolina.
» New York outshot the Caps 31-12. It was the fewest shots ever recorded during a Caps’ victory.
