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Capitals continue playoff push against Thrashers

Mar 21, 2008 - 12:58 PM Washington (36-31-8) at Atlanta (31-37-8) 7:30 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Washington Capitals seek some much-needed points on Friday when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers in the eighth and final meeting between the clubs this season.

Washington is two points behind Philadelphia for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

The Capitals had a four-game unbeaten streak end on Wednesday with a 5-0 loss at Chicago in the second game of a six-game road trip.

"We had a gear missing and they played well," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I just think we had a real stinker. We stunk in the first period. I can't say it any more clearly: We were all horrible together."

Washington's Alex Ovechkin enters the game with an NHL-best 58 goals and is bidding to become the first player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 to surpass 60 goals in a season.

The Russian star and center Nicklas Backstrom have a combined five goals and 10 assists versus the Thrashers this season.

The Thrashers were in playoff contention for a while, but a 2-10-4 stretch has put an end to any postseason hopes. Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Carolina was Atlanta's fourth in a row.

Left wing Ilya Kovalchuk and center Todd White have combined for seven goals and five assists against the Capitals this season.