WASHINGTON, April 17 (UPI) -- Matt Pettinger scored a pair of goals Monday to lead the Washington Capitals to a 6-4, comeback win over Atlanta and end the Thrashers' playoff bid.
Alexander Ovechkin scored his 52nd goal of the season and assisted on another for the Capitals, who have now won three of their last four games. Olaf Kolzig stopped 38-of-42 shots in the win.
Peter Bondra, Steve McCarthy, Bobby Holik and Garnet Exelby each scored for the Thrashers, whose loss eliminates them from playoff contention and allows Tampa Bay and Montreal to clinch the final two playoff spots in the NHL Eastern Conference.
AStlanta's Mike Dunham allowed five goals on 23 shots while Michael Garnett gave up a goal on five shots before leaving with a leg injury.
