Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine (#4) and Atlanta Thrashers forward Eric Boulton fight in the second period of their NHL ice hockey game at Verizon Center.

There’s a saying in some sports that sounds something like “a win is a win is a win.” It means that no matter how ugly it was, how wrong it was, how undeserved it was, if you win, you win…and you take it and be happy with it.  When the first period of the Washington Capitals and Atlanta Thrashers game ended last night, it did not feel like it was going to be one of those games.  The Capitals were pretty dominant and took a 3-1 lead into the locker room.  By the end of the second period, all those memories of games and failures past were rearing their head and the “a win is a win” saying was going to apply to whichever of the two teams, now tied at 4, won, because both teams suffered many breakdowns, lapses and otherwise poor decisions and actions that led to shorthanded goals against or quality chances for the other team.

If there is one man that the Capitals will have to thank for these extra 2 points at the end of the season if they need them, it will be John Erskine…the man that brought a whole lot of right (and rights to the head of the Thrashers Eric Boulton) and seemingly no wrong (and, yes, Alex Ovechkin, I’m looking at you). In addition to a fight that only could have brought a boost to the Capitals, he scored the game winning goal, was on the ice for one other Capitals goal and not on the ice for a single goal against. He had a takeaway to go along with his single giveaway.  Erskine was tops.

Everyone raise their hand who thought that John Erskine would have as many goals as Mike Green had fighting majors after 18 games. Okay, how many thought the number would be something other than 0? Yeah, that’s what I thought.  Maybe it’s just the Movember ‘stache, or maybe the Capitals are continuing last year’s team progression and becoming even more well rounded.  let’s hope so.

Real recaps at the regular places like Japer’s Rink, Russian Machine Never Breaks, and at Capitals Insider and I have some photos below and on flickr.