Capitals 4, Maple Leafs 2
Defenseman Dennis Wideman recorded his first career hat trick by netting three power-play goals as the Washington Capitals skated to a 4-2 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.
Nicklas Backstrom also scored with the man advantage and Tomas Vokoun turned aside 26 shots to post his eighth home win in 10 decisions (8-2-0).
Washington rebounded from a woeful 2-for-43 stretch on the power play in its previous eight games to go 5-for-10 during its last two contests.
Toronto's Phil Kessel tied Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek for the league lead with his 18th goal of the season after tapping in a loose puck behind Vokoun midway through the second period.
After being held without a shot for the first 12 minutes, Washington opened the scoring just 33 seconds later. Backstrom's shot attempt was blocked, but Mike Knuble collected the loose puck and fed Wideman, who wristed the puck past James Reimer for his first goal since Nov. 1.
Wideman recorded his first two-goal game of his career when his shot from the point sailed past Reimer at 1:49 of the second period. He capped the hat trick by scoring with 1:19 remaining.
Defenseman Cody Franson scored and Reimer finished with 21 saves for Toronto, which fell to 1-3-1 in its last five games.