Capitals' Green sets defenseman scoring mark

Feb 15, 2009 - 4:31 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Mike Green of the Washington Capitals set an NHL record for defensemen Saturday, extending his goal-scoring streak to eight games by tallying during a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"It was a pretty cool thing," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I was so proud of Mike, and I was really, really happy that his dad was here to see it. That's really special."

With the Capitals leading, 3-0, and on a power play in the second period, Green unleashed a shot that was blocked. But he picked up the loose puck and slapped it past goaltender Karri Ramo from between the faceoff circles at 5:33 to set the mark previously held by Mike O'Connell.

Green was mobbed afterward as his teammates jumped off the bench and onto the ice to celebrate.

"I wasn't really expecting that, but it was exciting," Green said. "It almost brought a little tear to my eye, so I was pretty jacked up."

Green netted a pair of goals in Wednesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the New York Rangers to tie the record set by O'Connell, who scored in seven straight games for the Boston Bruins during the 1983-84 season.

The 23-year-old Green leads all NHL defensemen with 22 goals and 50 points this season.