Lalime's streak stretched to 184 minutes, six seconds

OTTAWA (AP) -- The Ottawa Senators are playing very well in front of their now constantly filled stands.

The Senators beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 18,500 Saturday night for their fifth consecutive win and NHL-leading 30th of the season.

The Senators filed for bankruptcy protection last week. Shortly after, majority owner Rod Bryden challenged fans to show their commitment to keeping the team in Ottawa by filling the arena.

And they have responded, making the Corel Centre a busy place this week.

In the three games since Ottawa returned from a road trip, the Senators have not drawn fewer than 18,000. Saturday was their second sellout in five days.

    GOALIES: CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUTS
(Since 1944-45)
    4: Bill Durnan, Mon. (2/24-3/9, 1949)
3: Patrick Lalime, Ott. (1/9-14, 2003)
3: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Ana. (12/8-15, 2002)
3: Patrick Roy, Col. (11/14-18, 2001)
3: Ed Belfour, Dal. (11/17-24, 2000)
3: John Vanbiesbrouck, Phila. (10/20-24, 1999)
3: Trevor Kidd, Cal. (4/1-6, 1998)
3: Martin Brodeur, N.J. (3/27-4/4, 1997)
3: Nikolai Khabibulin, Pho. (3/5-8, 1997)
3: Greg Millen, St.L. (12/1-6, 1988)
3: Jim Rutherford, Det. (12/31, 1975-Jan. 8, 1976)
3: Tony Esposito, Chi. (1/19-27, 1972)
3: Cesare Maniago, Minn. (12/13-16, 1967)
3: Glenn Hall, Det. (12/11-18, 1955)
3: Terry Sawchuk, Det. (11/20-25, 1954)
3: Turk Broda, Tor. (10/18-25, 1950)
-- Source: Elias Sports Bureau

"The atmosphere in the city is very exciting," said Ottawa native and Senators forward Todd White. "I care a lot about this team, the organization and this city. I'm from here and there's nothing I'd like more than for the team to be successful on the ice and at the box office."

Daniel Alfredsson and Radek Bonk had two goals each for the Senators.

However, Patrick Lalime's shutout streak stretched to 184:06 before Michael Nylander gave Washington a 1-0 lead. While on a power play, Nylander was left alone at the side of the goal and put a backhand over Lalime's shoulder at 4:06.

The Senators applied strong pressure up to that point and had at least three good scoring chances but were unable to beat the seldom-used Sebastien Charpentier.

But Ottawa finally got to Charpentier as Bonk scored a power-play goal on a shot from a sharp angle that deflected off Brenden Witt, who was trying to contain Martin Havlat at the side of the goal.

Alfredsson fired a shot over Charpentier's shoulder with about a minute remaining in the first to give the Senators a 2-1 lead.

Washington's Robert Lang had the only goal of the second. Lang never actually got a shot away as he broke in on Lalime. The puck rolled off his stick and between the legs of Lalime, who seemed to be fooled.

Havlat put Ottawa ahead early in the third. Bonk fed a perfect pass to Havlat, who redirected the puck passed Charpentier at 6:09.

The Senators dominated from that point, with Alfredsson providing some insurance with his second goal of the game at 10:29. Bonk rounded out the scoring with an empty-net tally at 18:59.

"In the third we took control. We had good chances, we made big plays and we didn't give them anything," Lalime said. "We came out in the third period really wanting to win and it showed."

With forward Peter Bondra not feeling well and Jaromir Jagr missing the entire third period with an aggravated groin, the Capitals didn't have much of a chance. They lost 4-1 to Toronto on Friday.

"I don't know if we ran out of gas or if they stepped on the gas," Washington coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We're playing a hell of a lot better than we were six weeks ago, but this was disappointing."

Game notes
Senators rookie D Anton Volchenkov was chosen to the Eastern Conference team that will participate in the YoungStars game at the NHL's All-Star weekend. Volchenkov, a healthy scratch against Washington, has two goals and nine points in 35 games this season. ... Washington rookie forward Brian Sutherby was also chosen to the East squad. ... Ottawa assistant coaches Perry Pearn, Roger Neilson and Don Jackson will coach the East team.