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Nolan, Doan score power-play goals lead Coyotes

Jan 1, 2007 - 11:51 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Owen Nolan and Shane Doan energized the Phoenix Coyotes.

Nolan and Doan scored power-play goals in the first period to lead the Coyotes to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.

Opening a five-game road trip, the Coyotes took advantage of a quick start that saw them build a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Nolan opened the scoring just 2:02 into the contest with his ninth goal of the season. He also set up Keith Ballard's second tally of the season at the 16:56 mark that snapped a 1-1 tie.

"The last couple of weeks we've been playing really solid hockey, getting great goaltending, and everyone believes in each other right now," Nolan said. "In the beginning of the season, we were really down in the dumps and what not and everyone wrote us off. But we've proven to ourselves that we can compete with really good teams and we're taking that into every game now."

Doan tallied with the man advantage with just 15 seconds left in first session, giving the Coyotes a 3-1 advantage. It was his ninth goal of the season.

The Coyotes went 2-for-5 on the power play.

Phoenix also got it done while shorthanded, killing off a two-man advantage for Washington that lasted nearly a minute in the third period.

"It was just hard work. The guys we use killing 5-on-3s are pretty much fearless of blocked shots and jump in front of pucks," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said. "They really do a nice job of finding the puck."

Mikael Tellqvist made 30 saves for the Coyotes, who won their third straight game and improved to just 5-12-1 away from home.

"Telly stood tall today again," Gretzky said. "Can't talk enough about what a nice addition he's been to our team and our organization. It was a great win for him."

Brian Pothier scored a power-play goal in the first period and Brian Sutherby tallied in the second for struggling Washington, which has lost a season-high five straight and seven of its last eight games.

"It's little things and bounces, but obviously we need to right the ship," Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig said. "You can't just have fate control everything, you need to control fate."

Superstar Alex Ovechkin, who drew the praise of Gretzky after scoring twice and adding an assist in a 6-1 victory over Phoenix last January 16, set up Pothier's tally.