AP News, December 27th, 2007
Hours after Bruce Boudreau formally got the job he coveted, the Washington Capitals marked the occasion with a feel-good victory.
Matt Bradley scored the tiebreaking goal with 2:53 left, and the Capitals ended a three-game skid by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 Wednesday night.
David Steckel had a goal and two assists for the Capitals, who earlier in the day learned that the team removed the "interim" tag from Boudreau's title and formally named him the 14th head coach in the history of the franchise.
"The goal when you take the job is to be here a long time," Boudreau said two hours before the opening faceoff.
Bradley's goal came after Steckel took a shot that was deflected and hit Tampa Bay goalie Karri Ramo in the chest. The rebound bounced upward, and Steckel tipped the puck before Bradley whisked it into the net.
Washington improved to 8-5-3 under Boudreau, who took over for the fired Glen Hanlon on Thanksgiving.
Vincent Lecavalier scored both Tampa Bay goals. The Lightning have lost five of six and are an NHL-worst 3-13-1 on the road.
Playing in his 200th NHL game, Alex Ovechkin received an assist on Washington's second goal. He ranks fifth on the Capitals' career list with 240 points, including 123 goals.
Lecavalier opened the scoring at 5:43 of the first period, putting in his own rebound of a shot he initially took from the right circle.
Midway through the period, Ramo made several spectacular saves with Washington on the power play. Steckel tied it late in the period, however, stuffing in a rebound of his own shot after Ramo left the puck exposed in the crease.
Lecavalier put Tampa Bay back on top midway through the second period, breaking free in the Capitals' zone and beating Olie Kolzig with a wrist shot from the left circle.
Brian Pothier made it 2-all late in the period with a slap shot from behind the right circle.
Notes:@ Tampa Bay has not allowed a power-play goal in four straight games. The Lightning went 4-for-4 on penalty kills against the Capitals and have snuffed 11 over the four-game stretch. ... Thirteen of Lecavalier's 25 goals have come in the second period. ... Washington is 5-1-1 against Southeast Division foes under Boudreau.
