Ribeiro's late goal lifts Caps over Canes

[March 15, 2013]  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Mike Ribeiro scored with 2:16 remaining, and the Washington Capitals rallied for a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Alex Ovechkin and Joey Crabb also scored for the Capitals, who snapped a three-game losing streak and moved within eight points of the Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes.

Michael Neuvirth made 36 saves to help Washington come back from an early two-goal deficit.

Alexander Semin and Patrick Dwyer scored for the Hurricanes, who had won six of seven and outscored opponents 29-15 during that stretch. Dan Ellis made 22 saves for Carolina.

Ribeiro's goal was scored after Ovechkin was stopped on a breakaway. The puck stayed in the crease, and Ribeiro managed to nudge it across the line. The goal was confirmed by a video review.

Carolina fell to 11-1 when leading after two periods. Washington improved to 3-9-1 when trailing through 40 minutes.

Ovechkin made it 2-2 early in the third period with a power-play goal. Ellis deflected a pass from behind the net, but the puck bounced to Troy Brouwer in the slot. Brouwer quickly moved the puck to Ovechkin for a one-timer that beat Ellis, who was out of position.

Carolina got off to a fast start 1:14 into the game when Semin scored his first goal against his former club.

Semin, who signed with the Hurricanes last summer, snapped the puck past Neuvirth after taking a pass from Eric Staal. Semin has five points in three games.

Carolina took a 2-0 lead a little more than 7 minutes later when Dwyer deflected in Tim Gleason's shot from the point.

At that point, the Capitals had allowed 10 consecutive goals.

Washington snapped that streak when Crabb scored 5:56 into the second period. Aaron Volpatti fed Crabb on a timing play, and the forward redirected the puck past Ellis.

NOTES: Washington was without defensemen John Erskine (upper body) and Mike Green (groin). Tom Poti (upper body) returned to the Capitals lineup after missing one game. . Carolina finished a stretch of six of eight at home.

[Associated Press;]

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