Washington Capitals right wing Tomas Fleischmann (14) of the Czech Republic celebrates a goal with defenseman Jeff Schultz (55) against the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1st period at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman) | License Photo
Atlanta Thrashers goalie Johan Hedberg (1) of Sweden makes a save on a shot by Washington Capitals center Michael Nylander (92) of Sweden in the 1st period at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman) | License Photo
Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore (60) makes a save in the 1st period on a short handed goal attempt by Atlanta Thrashers center Eric Perrin (11) in the 1st period at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman) | License Photo
Atlanta Thrashers goalie Johan Hedberg (1) of Sweden makes a save on a shot by the Washington Capitals in the 1st period at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman) | License Photo
Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore (60) makes a save on shot by Atlanta Thrashers center Todd White in the 1st period at the Verizon Center in Washington on April 5, 2009. (UPI Photo/ Mark Goldman) | License Photo
WASHINGTON, April 5 (UPI) -- The Washington Capitals, led by Brooks Laich with a goal and two assists, scored four times in the third period Sunday to beat the Atlanta Thrashers 6-4.
Tomas Fleischmann, Keith Aucoin, Michael Nylander, Eric Fehr and Alexander Semin also scored for Washington, which holds second place in the Eastern Conference playoff chase, two points ahead of New Jersey.
Colby Armstrong, Jim Slater, Ilya Kovalchuk and Slava Kozlov accounted for the Thrashers' scoring.
Caps' goalie Jose Theodore recorded his 31st victory of the season, blocking 20 Atlanta shots.
Johan Hedberg had 27 saves for Atlanta, which had won its previous four games.
