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Capitals rip Hurricanes

Nov 5, 2011 - 3:03 AM Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Cody Eakin, Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom each had a goal and an assist, as the Washington Capitals scored five unanswered goals to beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1.

Jeff Halpern and John Carlson also lit the lamp for the Capitals, who have won two in a row since a two-game skid.

Michal Neuvirth, making his second start of the season, made 24 saves.

"I had a good practice (Thursday) and a good pregame skate today, so I was pretty confident coming into the game tonight," Neuvirth said. "I think I had a good game."

Anthony Stewart scored the lone goal for the Hurricanes, who have lost five of seven. Cam Ward turned aside 27-of-32 shots.

The Hurricanes' lone goal came just 3:26 into the game. Following a left faceoff win, Jay Harrison fired a shot on net from the point. Stewart deflected the puck past Neuvirth.

"We strayed away from the game plan of getting pucks deep and taking the body, and they took advantage of it," Stewart said.

Halpern put home a rebound at the 1:28 mark of the middle stanza to make it 1-1.

Brouwer put Washington ahead for good over a minute later. Marcus Johansson gathered a loose puck at the blue line and led a 2-on-2 rush down the left side of the ice. Johansson made a cross-ice pass to Brouwer, who completed the play with a tip-in.

Carlson's one-timer from the left point at the 3:15 mark of the third period made it a 3-1 game.

Eakin's first career goal came at the 10:49 mark. Alexander Semin led a 2-on-1 rush down the right side of the ice before making a cross-ice pass to Eakin, whose wrister beat Ward.

Backstrom lit the lamp with 4:08 remaining to make it 5-1.

Game Notes

Washington has won seven of the last eight meetings...Capitals defenseman Mike Green (ankle) missed his fourth straight game...Ward fell to 14-9-4 in 28 career games versus Washington...Alex Ovechkin had two assists for the Capitals.