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 Two games and two losses into the lockout-shortened season -- and new Washington boss Adam Oates' NHL head coaching career -- Ovechkin doesn't have a goal, the Capitals have been outscored 10-5, and their opponents are 5 for 12 on power plays.
Andrew Ladd and Jim Slater also scored, and Tobias Enstrom had three assists for Winnipeg (1-1-1), which outshot the Capitals 39-34.
The Jets scored only two goals in their first 137 1/2 minutes of play this season. They matched that total with a pair of power-play scores in a 4-minute span during the first period Tuesday.
The Jets led 4-1, until Washington's Troy Brouwer scored on a power play with 76 seconds remaining.
Washington also scored first, on Matt Hendricks' goal about 10 minutes into the game. Ovechkin passed the puck across the ice to Nicklas Backstrom, who sent it toward Hendricks, camped out alone in front of the crease. Hendricks' right skate redirected the puck toward the net, and it also ticked off his stick on the way past goalie Ondrej Pavelec. The goal held up after a video review.
The Capitals' lead didn't stand long. Winnipeg tied it about 2 1/2 minutes later when Kane's attempt to center the puck wound up in the net behind goalie Braden Holtby. The puck went in accidentally after striking the boot of Capitals defenseman John Carlson at the 12 1/2-minute mark.
Then, with Carlson in the penalty box for delay of game, the Jets went ahead 2-1. This time, with Ovechkin and Backstrom on the penalty-kill, Winnipeg captain Ladd took a one-timer from between the circles that clanged in off the right post with 8 seconds remaining on the advantage.
The Capitals' second game of the season was only 16 1/2 minutes old, yet they already had allowed goals on five of their opponents' first nine power plays. Washington lost at Tampa Bay 6-3 on Saturday.
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When the Capitals got their first power play Tuesday, midway through the second period, they managed only one shot -- by Ovechkin, less than 30 seconds into the chance.
Not long after that expired, Winnipeg again made Washington's defense look shaky. Kane deked Carlson along the boards, brought the puck into the left circle, and passed to Wheeler. He was given too much space by defenseman Karl Alzner and sent a high shot past Holtby.
Winnipeg boosted its lead to 4-1 with 45 seconds left in the second, when a shot by Slater was deflected through Holtby's legs.
Pavelec's 32 saves included a nice glove stop of a shot by Jay Beagle from close range about 4 1/2 minutes into the third period.
NOTES: Winnipeg is the first visitor to beat Washington in a home opener since the Los Angeles Kings won 4-1 on Oct. 6, 2000. Oates assisted on Washington's goal in that game. ... Washington's Hendricks fought Slater at the end of the second period, then Chris Thorburn with 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the third. ... Winnipeg's next game is at home Friday against Pittsburgh. ... Capitals C Mike Ribeiro was bleeding from the cheek in the first period and got a bandage on the cut. ... Capitals D Mike Green played in his 400th career game. ... Ovechkin's 70 points against the Jets franchise -- 34 goals and 36 assists in 49 games against Atlanta and Winnipeg -- are his most against any NHL club. ... Video messages from more than a half-dozen Capitals players, many thanking the fans, were shown on the scoreboard before the opening faceoff.
[Associated
Press; By HOWARD FENDRICH]
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