The Thrashers -- who started the season with six straight losses -- have now won four in a row and seven out of the last eight.
Washington has the NHL's fewest points and is off to its slowest start in 26 years.
Atlanta is 11-and-4 since coach Bob Hartley was fired and general manager Don Waddell was put behind the bench.
Kovalchuk has been leading the way, but he had a lot of help tonight, including Tobias Enstrom's three assists. Niclas Havelid had a goal and assist, and Bobby Holik contributed his first goal in 15 games.
Alex Ovechkin put the Capitals ahead 1-0 with a power-play goal two and a half minutes into the second period. That, though, was the highlight for the hosts.
Kovalchuk tied the game four and a half minutes later. Holik put Atlanta ahead 16:05 into the second period, and Havelid scored his first goal of the season with 32 seconds left. That last goal came off an assist from Kovalchuk, when Atlanta had a 3-on-4 rush.
Kovalchuk and Eric Perrin added insurance goals in the third period
kovalchuk at bench
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/11/204236