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Kolzig shuts down Isles as Caps snap skid

Feb 4, 2007 - 11:46 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Olaf Kolzig made a number of saves against the New York Islanders, and the Washington Capitals needed ever single one of them.

Kolzig stopped 31 shots and turned aside all three attempts he faced in a shootout to lead the Capitals to a 2-1 victory over the Islanders.

The Capitals entered with a three-game skid and five losses in their last six contests. They were coming off Saturday's 2-0 loss to Pittsburgh and did not provide Kolzig with much offensive support once again.

Matt Pettinger scored 2:52 into the game for his 12th goal, but that would be the last time Washington got anything past Rick DiPietro until the shootout.

Mike Sillinger netted the equalizer 27 seconds into the middle session, in which the Islanders outshot the Capitals, 13-5.

Rookie Alexander Semin scored to start the shootout for Washington. He came in with speed and went to his backhand, lifting the puck over the glove of DiPietro.

All-Star Alex Ovechkin and Dainius Zubrus came up empty in the shootout for Washington, but Kolzig denied Miroslav Satan, Viktor Kozlov and Jason Blake to make Semin's tally stand.

"It's tough any time you lose that extra point," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said. "In the modern-day NHL, the shootout is more of a skills competition. You know that from the get-go. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't. We're happy with the point."

Ovechkin, who is tied for the league lead with 33 goals, again was held scoreless, marking the first time this season he has gone consecutive games without a point.

After the game, Ovechkin was more concerned with getting the win than with his mini-slump.

"(Kolzig) had a great game tonight, and we'll take these points," Ovechkin said. "I'm happy we won, these were important points for us."

Kolzig improved to 2-4 in his last six starts against the Islanders.

"When it comes down to the end of the year these extra points could be vital," Kolzig said. "Hopefully it's a sign of positive things for us."

DiPietro made 30 saves, including 13 in the third period for the Islanders, who have recorded at least a point in a season-high seven straight games (4-0-3).

"Ricky played great for us," Nolan said. "A couple of big saves got us that point."