CAPITALS ON FIRE

The Capitals once again made it look easy Wednesday night, scoring three times in 2 1/2 minutes early in the third period for a 5-1 victory over the visiting Ducks. Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Knuble and Alexander Semin scored on consecutive shots to break open a tie game, helping the Washington win its eighth straight - its best run since 1988-89. Semin had two goals, and Alex Ovechkin had a goal and two assists. Since Ovechkin became captain Jan. 5, Washington has won 11 of 12 games and has scored five or more goals eight times. The Capitals are averaging 3.83 goals per game - more than a half-goal better than any other team - and are on pace to become the league's highest scoring team since the Penguins in 1995-96. "They're very comfortable playing the game the way they played it tonight," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. "That's their game. And they played it to a T." (SF Gate)