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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON (AP) -- No one can accuse Adam Oates of not squeezing
opportunity out of every second on the ice.
Oates and Chris Simon each had a goal and an assist in the
second period Tuesday night as the Washington Capitals won a
franchise-record ninth straight at home, 2-1 over the Colorado
Avalanche.
|  | | Washington's Brendan Witt, left, and Colorado's Jeff Odgers collide. |
Oates' 10th goal broke a tie as time ran out in the second
period. He took Simon's pass between the circles and wristed a shot
past Patrick Roy.
"I can't say I knew it was that close," Oates said. "But I
knew we were running out of time."
Oates' assist on Simon's goal gave him 873 for his 15-year
career, tying him with Phil Esposito for 14th on the NHL's career
list. The two points moved Oates past Bobby Hull into 30th place
with 1,171.
"You see those names. ... I'm a very lucky guy," Oates said.
Washington, which hasn't lost a home game since a 1-0 defeat to
Montreal on Dec. 13, is 14-2-2 in its last 18 games overall,
including 10-0-2 in home games.
Now, a team that once feared going out on the road at this point
in the season can't wait to get away from Washington. The home
results have spawned a desire to duplicate success.
"It's a different story," Washington's Peter Bondra said.
"Confidence makes everybody a little better, especially when you
have talent. We're on a roll."
Milan Hejduk scored for the Avalanche, who lost their third
straight road game.
Olaf Kolzig made 31 saves as the Capitals improved to 17-4-6 at
home. They won only 16 home games last season.
The Avalanche, 1-6-1 in eight road games, were 3-0-1 in their
last four against Washington. The Capitals' last victory over
Colorado was March 6, 1997.
"We've been struggling on the road -- there's no rhyme or reason
to it," said Avalanche winger Brian Rolston.
Washington came into the game with only one power-play goal in
26 chances. After failing to convert two first-period
man-advantages, the Capitals were successful on two straight.
Simon broke a scoreless tie 7:32 into the second, scoring his
team-high 18th goal on the Capitals' 20th shot. He settled Oates'
centering pass with his right skate, then flicked the puck past Roy
from the edge of the left circle.
With the Avalanche on a power play, Hejduk tied it by batting in
Adam Deadmarsh's rebound at 11:13 for his 26th goal.
Oates restored the lead with time running out in the second and
Colorado's Alexei Gusarov off for tripping. Simon, at the right
post, sent a sweeping pass back to Oates between the circles. Oates
weaved a shot through traffic with 0.1 second remaining in the period.
"You wouldn't believe the lift it gives a team," Simon said.
"It's a lift for your team and a downer for the other team."
It was the 23rd time Oates has scored against the Colorado
franchise -- his most against any NHL team.
"Pure coincidence," Oates said.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Colorado Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Ottawa 5
Carolina 1
Washington 2
Colorado 1
New Jersey 4
Philadelphia 2
San Jose 4
NY Islanders 1
NY Rangers 2
Tampa Bay 2
Edmonton 2
Nashville 1
St. Louis 4
Atlanta 1
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Chris Simon beats Patrick Roy for the goal.
avi: 574 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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