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Pavelec stands strong in net, Thrashers stymie Capitals

Dec 5, 2010 - 4:16 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Ondrej Pavelec turned aside 45 shots as the Atlanta Thrashers took a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals at Version Center.

Andrew Ladd and Rich Peverley each had a goal and an assist for the Thrashers, who bounced back from Thursday's loss to Pittsburgh to win for the seventh time in the past eight games. Alexander Burmistrov scored the other goal.

"Our goaltender has been really good lately," said Atlanta head coach Craig Ramsay. "He gave us the chance and we were able to fight back hard and get the two points."

Alex Ovechkin scored the lone goal, while Semyon Varlamov was charged with all three goals on 33 shots for the Capitals, who have dropped their past two after winning their previous four.

"We didn't get very many second shots on Pavelec tonight," said Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "You can take 100 perimeter shots and it looks great on the stats, but if you're not fighting to get in front and get those rebounds then you're not going to win."

After a scoreless first period, in which Pavelec turned aside 15 shots while Varlamov made nine saves, Atlanta took a 1-0 lead 7:57 into the second when Dustin Byfuglien blasted a shot from the right point that was deflected in by Peverley at the right side.

Just 1:32 later, the Thrashers made it a 2-0 game as Burmistrov lifted a shot over Varlamov from a sharp angle at the left side of the net for his fourth goal of the year.

Washington cut into its deficit in the final minute of the second when Alexander Semin sent the puck from the right circle to the low left side where Ovechkin one-timed it past Pavelec.

The Thrashers, though, got the goal back 2:27 into the third on the power play. Off a left circle faceoff win, Peverley threaded the puck from the low left side to the right through the legs of a defender to Ladd for a one-timer into the back of the net.

Game Notes

Atlanta returns home to face Nashville on Monday...Washington hosts Toronto on Monday...The Thrashers have taken three of the five games against Washington this season. The two will face each other for the final time in the regular season on January 26 in Atlanta...It was a season-high in shots for Washington...Atlanta went 1-for-2 on the power play while Washington was 0- for-5.