First Star
Caps rookie G Simeon Varlamov was left out to dry by his teammates for much of Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Atlanta. But the 20-year-old Russian kept his team ahead throughout, finishing with 29 saves on 31 Thrashers’ shots.
Second Star
The streaky Tomas Fleischmann is at it again. After a 15-game goal drought he has now scored in two straight games. Put the Caps ahead in the first period. Later added an assist. Has four points in last two games.
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Third Star
Caps F Viktor Kozlov scored his 13th goal of the season in the first period on a pass from teammate Nicklas Backstrom. It was only Kozlov’s second goal since Feb. 1 and the first that he has recorded since March 17.
Oops!
A failed clear by Caps D Milan Jurcina led to Atlanta’s first goal by F Rich Peverley. With the puck at his feet, Jurcina overskated it. Varlamov went one way and Peverley the other for an easy score.
From the bench
Caps coach Bruce Boudreau decided to rest D Tom Poti against Atlanta. Poti is still fighting a sore groin — an injury that has plagued him on and off since November.
John Anderson’s Thrashers received one of the NHL’s biggest bargains when they picked up Peverley on waivers from Nashville. He recorded his 15th goal of the year in the first period.
