Caps pose thrilling 5-4 comeback over Anaheim

Posted on November 02, 2011

Down three goals at home and looking at a third straight loss, Washington posed a furious third period rally to win 5-4 in overtime over the Anaheim Ducks at Verizon Center. Anaheim entered play Tuesday with five even-strength goals all season. Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu picked up two in the first frame just on their line. Koivu started the scoring with his first goal of the season from Selanne at 9:05 after a defensive miscue behind the net. Selanne then added his fourth of the season, and 20th career goal against Washington a short time later at 13:39. The Caps fired nine first period shots at Jonas Hiller to just six at Tomas Vokoun after 20 minutes, but the men of Quack took a 2-0 lead to the dressing room after one. The Ducks increased its lead to 3-0 midway through the second period when Selanne notched his second of the game and at the same time tied Guy LaFleur for 25th all-time in NHL scoring. But the Caps would rebound. Joel Ward began the road back with his third goal in his last five games at the 13:23 mark. Ward's strike made it 3-1, and a misplay by Hiller on a dump-in led to Dennis Wideman's bullet from the top of the left circle for his third goal of the season. The marker at 16:33 made the score 3-2 as the third period began. A thrilling comeback in the third period started badly with Anaheim's Corey Perry picked up a power play goal at the 9:13 mark to give the Ducks a 4-2 lead. But Washington on this night would not be denied. Troy Brouwer started the final comeback, as he found the net for his second goal of the season at 11:42. In the game's final minute, with goaltender Tomas Vokoun on the bench, Nicklas Backstrom provided his first dose of high drama with the game-tying goal at 19:18. Backstrom's third goal of the season was quickly topped with the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime at 2:18, giving Washington the win. The Caps remain perfect on home ice, and are still without a loss within the United States. 8-2-0, tops in the Southeast Division with a game in Raleigh Friday against the Hurricanes.