Friday, March 12, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) On Monday night, Tomas Fleischmann was a healthy scratch for the first time all season. On Wednesday night, he scored in overtime for the Washington Capitals.

Tough hosts: Washington's Alexander Semin (right) vies for the puck with Carolina's Brian Pothier on Wednesday night. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime. AP PHOTO

Proving a point, Tomas?

"It's a little message," he said. "Don't sit me out again."

Fleischmann was smiling when he said it, but it points to the tough lineup-juggling act coach Bruce Boudreau has to perform now that the top team in the NHL is overloaded with trade deadline talent.

The Capitals resumed their winning ways with a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, a game in which Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr — neither with a healthy scratch since Jan. 2 — took their turns as idle bystanders.

Boudreau said he understands Fleischmann's message, but he's also trying to work in new players Joe Corvo, Scott Walker and Eric Belanger. Belanger assisted on Fleischmann's one-timer from the right circle that ended it at 3:20 of overtime.

"I hear it. He's a good player," Boudreau said. "And if the circumstances weren't what they are, he wouldn't be sitting out. But still it's March 10, and the playoffs don't start until about April 18. . . . I don't like doing it, either, but as long as we can, we'll keep rotating guys in and out of the lineup to keep them fresh and sharp. The players don't like it, but they understand it. They know what the common goal is, so they're doing it for the common goal."

The Capitals earned a standings point for the 15th straight home game. They had a franchise-record 13-game home winning streak snapped Wednesday against Dallas.

Defenseman Mike Green scored twice — he leads NHL defensemen in goals with 17 — Alexander Semin got his 31st, and Jose Theodore made 28 saves for the Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin, tied with Sidney Crosby for the NHL goal-scoring lead with 44, was held without a goal but got his 49th and 50th assists.

Jussi Jokinen scored his 27th goal, and Patrick Dwyer and Tuomo Ruutu also scored for the Hurricanes.

Sabres 5, Stars 3

In Buffalo, rookie defenseman Tyler Myers had a goal and three assists to help the hosts reclaim the top spot in the Northeast Division.

Thomas Vanek scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and Jason Pominville, Mark Mancari and Derek Roy also scored.

Devils 6, Rangers 3

In Newark, N.J., Rob Niedermayer, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rolston had a goal and assist each in New Jersey's return from a difficult post-Olympics trip.

Bryce Salvador and Zach Parise and Travis Zajac added goals for the Devils, who matched a season high in goals and never trailed in winning for the fourth time in 12 games (4-7-1).

Coyotes 4, Canucks 3 (SO)

In Glendale, Ariz., Adrian Aucoin scored in the sixth round of a shootout, and Ilya Bryzgalov deflected Mason Raymond's final attempt for Vancouver high over the net to give Phoenix the victory.

Blackhawks 3, Kings 2 (OT)

In Chicago, Patrick Sharp scored his second goal of the game 2:08 into overtime to lift the hosts past Los Angeles.

Dave Bolland picked off an errant pass by the Kings' Brad Richardson at center ice and made a long pass to Sharp, who skated in and beat goalie Jonathan Quick.

VANCOUVER , British Columbia (AP) Vancouver Canucks stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin have donated $1.5 million to help build a new BC Children's Hospital.

The Swedish twins, who have played for the NHL club for a decade, made their gift to support the hospital's Campaign for BC Children and specifically to the intensive care unit and diagnostics and imaging area in the new hospital.

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