NEW YORK, 27 January 2004 — John LeClair and Mark Recchi both scored a goal and added three assists to pace the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals in National Hockey League play in Washington on Sunday.
The win moved the Flyers into a first place tie in the Eastern Conference standings with the Toronto Maple Leafs, one point ahead of the Ottawa Senators.
Robert Esche had to make just 12 saves in goal for the Flyers, who took advantage of a depleted Washington line-up to win for the fifth time in six games. Michal Handzus and Kim Johnsson also scored for the Flyers, who have won three straight on the road.
Mike Grier scored on a third period breakaway for the Capitals, who were out-shot 22-13 and lost their third in a row.
The Capitals traded star forward Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers on Friday for Anson Carter, who was held scoreless in his second stint debut with the Capitals.
Washington dressed just five defenseman for the game, as Sergei Gonchar injured his shoulder on Friday and is out indefinitely.
The Flyers lost forward Tony Amonte with a knee injury in the first period and he did not return.
His status was not immediately known.
In other action, Jochen Hecht scored twice to help the Buffalo Sabres double the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 in Raleigh.
Milan Bartovic and Derek Roy also scored and Martin Biron made 37 saves to give the Sabres their second win in three games. The Sabres fell behind 2-0 in the second period and Buffalo had a record of just 1-12-1 after trailing after one period and 4-18-2 when it allowed the first goal.
But thanks to a few mistakes by Carolina goaltender Jamie Storr, the Hurricanes continued their losing ways despite out-shooting Buffalo 39-21.
Eric Cole and Kevyn Adams staked the Hurricanes, who are winless in five games at home, to a two-goal lead early in the second period but Carolina couldn’t hold on.
In East Rutherford, Jeff Freisen scored the game-winner early in the third period to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Thrashers.
Friesen now has three goals in four games and Martin Brodeur made 24 saves to help the Devils stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. Grant Marshall and Patrick Elias scored first-period goals for the Devils, who have won four of their past five games and are 4-1-1 in their past six.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 24th of the season while shorthanded in the third period. Jeff Cowan also scored for the Thrashers, who are winless in three games.
In Vancouver, Brent Sopel had two goals and an assist to lead the Canucks past the Nashville Predators 4-1. Henrik Sedin added a goal and an assist, while Todd Bertuzzi scored the other Vancouver goal. Markus Naslund added three assists. Jordin Tootoo scored the lone goal for Nashville.
