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Fiery Capitals far too hot for Lightning in playoffs

Washington Capital's goalie Olie Kolzig does the splits to make a save against Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier during second period action in Tampa Bay, Florida, on Thursday. The Capitals defeated Lightning 3-0. PHOTO: REUTERS

Robert Lang scored two goals and Olaf Kolzig made 28 saves Thursday as the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 in the opener of their first-round playoff series.

Michael Nylander also scored for the sixth-seeded Capitals, ending any hopes of a comeback by the young, inexperienced Lightning in their first postseason game in seven years. A disappointed crowd of 20,014 began heading to the exits with five minutes remaining.

Kolzig outplayed Tampa Bay goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, whose play since the All-Star break was instrumental in the third-seeded Lightning going 14-2-8 down the stretch to win their first Southeast Division title.

The Washington goaltender recorded his sixth career playoff shutout.

Mighty Ducks 2, Red Wings 1, 3 OT

In Detroit, Jean-Sebastien Giguere set a record for a playoff debut with 63 saves and Paul Kariya scored at 3:18 of the third overtime as Anaheim defeated Detroit.

Giguere set the record thanks in part to making 20 in the first overtime. He kept the defending champion Red Wings frustrated until Kariya picked up a rebound in the slot and fired home a wrist shot.

Toronto's Jiri Crha held the record for most saves in a playoff debut with 61 on April 8, 1980.

Detroit's Brendan Shanahan and Anaheim's Adam Oates scored in the first period, then the teams went 44:27 without a goal to force overtime.

Detroit is making its 13th straight playoff appearance and 52nd overall in 77 years. The Mighty Ducks, who began play during the 1993/1994 season, are in the postseason for the third time. The last two times they were in the playoffs, they were swept by the Red Wings.

Wild 4, Avalanche 2

In Denver, Dwayne Roloson stopped 39 shots and Minnesota scored three goals in 4:22 in the second period as the Wild beat Colorado to win their playoff debut.

Minnesota, a third-year team, was making its first playoff appearance, while Colorado had won two Stanley Cup titles in seven years and a record nine straight division championships.

Filip Kuba scored the first postseason goal in Wild history 5:33 into the second period, one-timing a pass from Andrew Brunette on a power play. Marian Gaborik pushed the lead to two 3:55 later on another power play, knocking in a rebound that went between Patrick Roy's legs and off his right skate.

Blues 6, Canucks 0

In Vancouver, British Columbia, Cory Stillman and Tyson Nash scored in the opening two minutes, and Chris Osgood made 20 saves as St. Louis stunned Vancouver, with Alexander Khavanov scoring twice.
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