March 19

On March 19, 1993, the Capitals defeated the Hartford Whalers 5-2 on the strength of Dmitri Khristich’s second hat trick of the season.

Mark Janssens got Hartford on the board first when he beat the Caps’ Don Beaupre just 1:47 into the first period. But

Khristich pulled the Caps even at 2:51 with his 26th goal of the season. Khristich then put the Caps on top with his second goal in 59 seconds at 3:50. Peter Bondra’s 30th of the year came at 16:13, with Khristich picking up an assist.

Washington’s Pat Elynuik notched his 17th of the season at 17:48, the fourth goal of the period against Whalers netminder Mario Gosselin. The Caps outshot the Whalers 16-5 in the period.

Midway through the second period, Hartford’s Eric Weinrich scored to shorten the Caps lead to 4-2. Jim McKenzie—now playing for the Capitals—assisted on Weinrich’s goal for Hartford. Washington again outshot the Whalers, 12-9.

The Caps defense was particularly stingy in the third, permitting just three Hartford shots on goal. Khristich completed his hat trick with a shorthanded empty-netter at 18:45 to wrap up the win for Washington.

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