Michael Nylander and Mike Grier had two goals apiece for the Capitals, 0-4-1-0 in their previous five games. The victory also snapped a three-game home skid and left Washington 7-0-1-0 against the Thrashers at MCI Center.
The Capitals trailed 2-1 before Nylander tied it with a power-play goal at 5:52 of the second. Dainius Zubrus put Washington ahead for good 52 seconds later with his first goal of the season, and Grier capped the outburst at 7:20.
The offensive onslaught was a rarity for the Capitals, who had scored as many as three goals in only five of their previous 20 games. An empty-net goal by Grier gave Washington its season-high in goals.
Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist for the Thrashers.
The Capitals played their first game of the season without right wing Peter Bondra, who was scratched because of back spasms. Bondra's eight goals ranks second on the team, but his offense was not needed on this night.
Jaromir Jagr scored his team-high 11th goal and Olaf Kolzig had 24 saves for Washington, which tallied three power-play goals.
Shawn McEachern put Atlanta up 1-0 with just 3:37 elapsed, scoring a power-play goal just 6 seconds after the Capitals' Brian Sutherby was sent to the penalty box for hooking.
Ilya Kovalchuk made it 2-0 at 13:39, scoring his team-high 11th goal on a breakaway off a fine lead pass from Heatley.
Jagr halved the Capitals' deficit late in the period, converting Kip Miller's pass into a power-play goal from the right circle.
Nylander tied it with a power-play goal from the right side of the net after taking a backhand pass from Robert Lang. Zubrus and Grier followed to make it 4-2.
Heatley got Atlanta within a one with a power-play goal with 17:34 remaining, but a power-play tally by Nylander restored the two-goal cushion with 8:30 left.
Notes: Former Capitals D Rod Langway was honored before the game in a ceremony marking his entrance into hockey's Hall of Fame. ... Heatley upped his team-high in assists (13) and points (20). ... Washington has been outscored 20-9 in the first period. ... Atlanta fell to 3-10-3-0 overall against the Capitals.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/11/187329