After the first day of Caps training camp, several of the players spoke to the media. Alex Ovechkin was near the end of his comments when Nicklas Backstrom and Brooks Laich decided to give Ovi a shaving cream pie in the face for this 26th birthday! And apparently, teammates had already given Ovi one in the locker room so this was the second one of the day. 

Here are photos of the fun, including the reactions from Nicky and Brooksy who were thoroughly enjoying themselves. It was obvious that this was a tradition because Backstrom said, "This was payback!" It is nice to have the boys back in town!

"This was payback!" - Backstrom

All Photos by Cheryl Nichols/CapsNewsNetwork

Caps 365 Video:

"I thought, this isn't the way we play. It was reverting back to an older day." -- Coach Bruce Boudreau, on his team's play in the third period.

The Washington Capitals excelled in the latter stages of the season and in the first round of the playoffs by playing a controlled system, playing within themselves and taking advantage of their speed and strength on offense.  For the first half of last night game, when they took a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning (and really could have been four or five to one), they played that way as well.

But a four and a half minute sequence at the end of the second period changed all that, and the Caps allowed play to be dictated to them the rest of the game.  Tampa rallied for two late goals in that time and the Caps they fell back into more of the style they played when struggling over the winter, which can most politely be described as non-committal.

The end result was a 4-2 loss in Game One of these Eastern Conference Semifinals, and puts the Caps in the unenviable position of essentially needing to win Sunday in Game Two.

The first period started out a little clunky on both sides, as the Caps were coming off a five-day mini-vacation and the Bolts only 48 hours from their Game Seven clincher against Pittsburgh. Tampa got on the board first just 2:12 into play, with Sean Bergenheim knocking in a puck that squirted through Michal Neuvirth off a shot from Steve Downie.

Replays showed Bergenheim cross-checked Mike Green into the goal before the play to take the Caps d-man out of position, but no call came.  Washington answered less than two minutes later, when Alexander Semin ripped a slap shot through Dwayne Roloson.  The Caps swarmed after that and led in shots after one period 14-9.

The second period saw the Caps dominate the first 15 minutes, taking the lead less than two minutes in, as Jason Chimera won a puck battle on a faceoff to Roloson's right and then hit Eric Fehr with a great pass, who had drifted into the slot alone.  Fehr snapped off a one-timer past the Tampa goalie and the Verizon Center faithful erupted.

The Caps enjoyed several other excellent scoring opportunities in the period, but could not convert again.  On one sequence, Laich hit a post and Nicklas Backstrom got the bouncing puck behind Roloson, but Tampa defenseman Eric Brewer swept it out of the crease and out to safety.  It could have been 3-1 on at least three different occasions.

But that didn't happen.

At 16:17, Neuvirth tried to play the puck up the board but Jeff Schultz couldn't handle the puck. Vinny Lecavalier collected the puck along the right wing boards and hit Steve Downie at the far post.  Downie flipped the puck back toward Neuvirth and it deflected off Scott Hannan's stick and over Neuvy's right shoulder to tie the game.

"I thought we were in control of the game until the Downie goal," Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said.  "That gave them life. But you can't play river hockey. I thought, this isn't the way we play. It was reverting back to an older day."

Less than two minutes later, Jason Chimera was called for roughing Pavel Kubina on a forecheck.  At full speed, it looked like Chimera simply finished his check, but a closer look revealed that he got his elbow up on the Tampa defenseman.  Kubina would not return.

On the ensuing power play, Karl Alzner tried to dig a puck out of the corner, but was beaten to it by Brewer, who got enough on it to get it to the post.  Steven Stamkos gathered the puck there and on the second whack, got it behind an out of place Neuvirth, who expected the puck to got into the crease.

There were just 32 seconds remaining in the period, and it was obvious the wind had come out of the Caps sails.

The third period was a disaster.  The Caps only managed five shots on goal, despite benefiting from two power plays in the frame.  The best opportunity they had came when Alex Ovechkin made a beautiful behind the back pass to a wide open Nicklas Backstrom in front of the net, but he only managed to pound it into Roloson.

Backstrom, the Caps second leading scorer, has now gone 13 games without a goal.   He had five shots on goal to lead the team, but his play was erratic. 

Is he pressing?  "Yeah, I think so," he said from the locker room after the game.  "I had an open net there and I should have just put it in. That's what happens when you struggle."

Boudreau spoke about how Tampa impeded his squad in the third period.  "They make it frustrating. They just hang back and you're trying to push and they're very good at it. That's why when they get a lead, and when they got a lead against Pittsburgh, they would hold on to it."

So the Caps are now faced with Game Two Sunday night.  They should be the more rested team, the one with more jump in their legs and fire in their bellies.  They'll have to play that way to regain the momentum in this series.  Because right now, it's with the team that entered this series that didn't get a chance to rest their bones after playing seven games in the first round.

CAPS NOTES:  The Lightning played much of the game without winger Simon Gagne, who appeared to black out after hitting his head and shoulder on the ice after a clean check by Scott Hannan.  He left with assistance but on his skates, and Tampa coach Guy Boucher said he would be evaluated further by team doctors.  Gagne has a history of concussions, missing almost an entire season as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

John Carlson appeared to suffer a leg injury of some sort, only taking bits of two shifts in the third period.  Boudreau called him day-to-day and "hoped" to have him for Sunday.

Alex Ovechkin registered just two shots on goal and had seven blocked.  The Caps fourth line of Boyd Gordon, Matt Bradley and Matt Hendricks managed just two shots on goal, both from Gordon.

Jeff Schultz extended his streak of time on ice without opponent goal to 125:47, a Stanley Cup Playoffs record.

Um, allow me to catch my breath.

When noted antagonist Daniel Briere completed the comeback for the Philadelphia Flyers, taking a 4-3 lead with just 5:45 left in the game after his team trailed 3-0 just into the second period, the collective soul of the Washington Capitals -- and their fan base -- had every right to be crushed, dejected and exhausted.

But a little over two minutes later, a young Swede that's growing up right before our eyes took matters into his own hands, rifling a shot past backup goalie Brian Boucher from the high slot to force overtime.  After a scoreless five minutes, Washington scored on all three of their penalty shots and escaped one of the toughest places to play in the league with two points -- which they were definitely fortunate to earn.

The win puts the Caps just a single point behind the Flyers for first place in the Eastern Conference, six ahead of Boston for second, and seven up on Tampa Bay -- losers at home to the Islanders -- for first in the Southeast Division.

This is a tale of three games rolled into one.  The first game consisted of the Caps beating Flyers starting goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, like a drum.  The Russian rookie was shaky from the get-go, allowing three goals on nine shots, before being replaced by backup Brian Boucher after the third goal at 1:22 of the second period.

Not to take anything away from the effort of the Caps on the scoring plays, but two of the three goals against Bobrovsky were definitely preventable.  Nick Backstrom's snap shot trickled between Bobrovsky's blocker arm and his body for the Caps first tally, and he gave up the near post on Mike Knuble's close range stuff on the second.

Dennis Wideman sent "Bob" to the showers with his shot from the point at the start of the second period.

At that point, the second game commenced, as the Caps were content to sit back and let the Flyers dictate play, as if they were daring them to erase a three goal lead.  Enough said.

Michal Neuvirth had more problems with his own defense backing into him and screening him than he really did with the Flyers offense.  Philly outshot the Caps 11-7 in the second and 11-5 in the third, and completely dominated play to the point that it looked like the home team had a two period power play. 

The goals were inevitable, as Neuvirth had to contend with the screens and physical play from the Flyers up front.  There was a noticable lack of contact from the Caps defense for most of this contest, with the Flyers roughing things up -- and chirping -- with impugnity once they got on the board.

Neuvirth could do little on either of Philly's first two goals, the first bouncing in off defenseman Dennis Wideman's skate; the second came on a botched clear, with Andreas Nodl drawing the defense -- and Neuvirth -- before hitting an unchecked Claude Giroux on the doorstep.

Three Caps defenders were marking center Jeff Carter, leaving Giroux and his lethal shot all alone to fire into the open net.

The emboldened Flyers just picked up the pace even more in the third.  Midway through the frame, on a hard forecheck, Jeff Schultz coughed the puck up into his own slot, where Nodl gathered and buried it past a dazed Neuvrith, and the game was tied.

Later, after Flyers won another yet faceoff (Caps 44 percent for the night) Briere tipped a shot from the point by Kimmo Timmonen that was destined for the back board behind a screened Neuvirth, and things looked bleak for the Caps.

Washington picked up its play a bit after the goal, and at 16:41, Mike Knuble (goal, two assists) dug the puck out of the offensive left wing corner, carried aliong the boards, and found Johansson, who had slipped into the high slot undetected. 

Johansson called for the shot like a veteran and pounded it past Boucher to send it to overtime.

Neither team took any risk in the extra frame, and when it was unsettled after five minutes of four-on-four, the gimmick was invoked to award the extra point.  

Matt Hendricks used his nifty stutter step to get Boucher on the ice and slipped it past him backhanded, Nick Backstrom got a quick snap shot through, and Alexander Semin finished Boucher and Flyers off stick side for the game winner.  Neuvirth tripped up Carter with his stick, keeping the prolific scorer off the board, and the win went to the visitors.

As John Carlson tweeted after the game, a win is a win is a win.  Especially in Philadelphia.  The Caps didn't do themselves any favors retreating into a shell after taking a 3-0 lead.  Despite earning the extra point tonight, the Flyers have to be emboldened by the fact they shredded the Caps now vaunted defense after falling into such a hole.

But the Caps, too, take something away from this one.  First, they took a big lead over one of the East's best in their own building.  They showed resiliency to not quit after allowing the fourth goal.  And they found some toughness late that was missing early, with Scott Hannan putting  himself in harm's way to block a shot with two minutes left, and Carlson FINALLY dumping a Flyers forward in the corner after getting ridden roughshod most of the game.

And the Caps did all this, missing the services of Alex Ovechkin, Jason Arnott, Mike Green, Tom Poti, and Eric Fehr, who mysteriously missed all but one shift in the third period.

All four games in this series this season went to overtime.  Heaven help us all if these teams meet again in the playoffs.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. Nicklas Backstrom.  The senior Swede had goal, assist, shootout marker.

2. Marcus Johansson.  Goal and assist, plus-2.  When Arnott gets back, he gives the Caps a dangerous playmaker on the third line. Can't be undersetimated in playoffs to be able to roll three lines with confidence.

1. Mike Knuble.  Pops had a goal and two assists in his old haunt, and really showed his veteran leadership -- on the ice.



Dennis Wideman celebrates Alexander Semin's game winner against his former mates. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

The Washington Capitals, with their fathers and mentors on hand for the annual "Father's Trip", came to south Florida knowing that a win would give them possession of first place in the Southeast Division and draw them within four points of the Philadelphia Flyers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, as Philly was destroyed by the New York Rangers, 7-0, earlier in the day.

They took care of business, though not without some tense moments.

Alexander Semin, on his only shot on goal of the game, scored 48 seconds into overtime to give the Capitals a 3-2 win over the trade-depleted Florida Panthers.

Overtime was necessary because the Panthers got a five-on-three got from David Booth at 17:34 of the third, with John Erskine in the box for a questionable tripping call, and Dennis Wideman off for a slash during the original penalty kill.

So coach Bruce Boudreau, were you happy the Caps answered so quickly in overtime after leading for so long in the game, then giving up the tying goal with less than three minutes left?  "Any time from the one second to the five minute mark would have been fine.  I'm glad we just answered."

The Capitals have found themselves in a bunch of one-goal games lately, and Nicklas Backstrom, who scored off a one-timer for the Caps first goal of the game, addressed the closeness of the recent victories.  "Obviously we want to see ourselves score more goals so we don't have to put ourselves in this situation, but they had a lot of power plays tonight and a five-on-three there and tied the game.  It's a close game, but you can't let emotions slow you."

Bottom line though was that the Caps escaped with two points.  "Exactly," Backstrom said.  "That was our goal.  We're looking forward to a big game [Monday] night [against Tampa Bay]."

Boudreau was happy with his team's effort and performance in a third period that saw the Caps take just six shots on goal.  "I don't think [the Panthers] had too many chances in the third period.  We were understanding what we had to do.  I thought we played a pretty solid period.  We weren't really trying to score."

If that statement seems odd from a coach known for all-out offense, well, it is.  It's a strange trip the Capitals have been on through 66 games, going from a team that averaged almost four goals a game to a team that now doesn't try to score with a one-goal lead in the third period.

Boudreau's confidence comes from his goalie's performance. Michal Neuvirth -- as he has been all season -- was outstanding. 

The 22-year old Czech made 32 saves, none bigger than a glove save late in the third against Booth during the remainder of Wideman's slashing call.  Boudreau complemented his goalie, saying, "That's why we kept telling people we didn't need any goaltending at the trade deadline.  We've got good goaltending."

Florida opened the scoring on a broken play.  Wideman got tangled up at center ice with Panthers center Mike Santorelli, setting up a two-on-one with only Erskine back.  Michal Repik slid the puck to a streaking Bill Thomas, who made no doubt about it, beating Michal Neuvirth blocker side to take a short-lived lead.

The Caps got on the board less than two minutes later.  Mike Knuble got control of a loose puck and shuffled it to Alex Ovechkin in the corner, who wheeled and hit Backstrom right on the tape in the high slot.  The pivot fired a bomb of a one-timer past Panthers backup goalie Scott Clemmensen for his 19th goal of the season.

"It was a good pass by Alex there," Backstrom said.  "I was just trying to get it on net there, [Clemmensen] wasn't ready.  There were people in front of the net there too.  But it was a good feeling."

Washington took the lead at 10:02 of the second, when Boyd Gordon backhanded a rebound of a John Carlson shot past Clemmensen at the end of a very good cycle by the energy line, with Matt Hendrick picking up the secondary assist.  Gordon gave an exaggerated fist pump after, celebrating his second goal of the season.

Boyd Gordon scores his second goal of the season in 3-2 OT win. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

Gordon won the hard had for his efforts, including blocking four shots.  "It was is best game of the year," Boudreau said.  "He blocked shot, he won faceoffs, he paid the price.  That's why he won the 'helmet' tonight.  It did what it took. Scoring a goal for him is a luxury, that's a bonus.  Everything else he did was great."

Gordon summed up this win, but he might as well have been talking about the season since the shift in philosophy sometime during the December eight-game losing streak:

"It's good to get the two points, big game for us.  We were kinda off-and-on there tonight but we did enoguh to win and at the end, a good result.  We're not scoring as much so our defense has a little bit more emphasis on it.  You don't want to give that led up.  Our margin for error might not be as big as it was last year.  But if that's what it takes to win, that's what we gotta do."

Strange days, indeed.

So its off to Tampa for a matchup Monday with the Bolts, who could not take advantage of a 12-game homestand in February to put any distance between themselves and the Capitals.  Now that the divison lead rests in D.C. once again, they probably wished they had.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS:

3.  Nick Backstrom.  The one-timer was a thing of beauty.  65% in the dot too.

2.  Michal Neuvirth.  32 saves.  Stellar. He's been the Caps MVP all season.

1.  Boyd Gordon.  Goal, four blocks, 3:47 of short-handed time.

CAPS NOTES:  The Panthers received seven power plays, including the late five-on-three, to the Caps' two.  "I mean, seven penalties on one, it's quite a discrepancy," Boudreau said.  "Everybody complains about the power play, and rightfully so -- it's not doing that well -- but it's really hard to get a consistency or momentum on it when you're getting one power play a game."

BONUS PHOTOS

Matt Hendricks, doin' what he does. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

The Captain during pre-game skate. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

Michal Neuvirth is a study in concentration. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

***Caps News Network wishes to thanks the Florida Panthers and Justin Copertino for extending us full credentials, including photography, for Sunday night's game. 

THE RESULTS: The Tampa Bay Lightning put a Matt Bradley quote about this being the Washington Capitals' biggest game of the year up on their white board in their dressing room in motivation for last night's big Southeast Division showdown.

It didn't help much.

The Caps roared out to a 3-1 lead mid-way through the second period, and added two more goals in the third to inch a little closer to the division lead with a 5-2 win before over 20,000 at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Better yet, the Caps top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom and Jason Chimera combined for four of the five goals, and Brooks Laich knocked in the other, just his second goal in his last 20 games.

Ovechkin's goal came on the power play, the first time he's gotten a marker with the extra man since he got two against Calgary Oct. 30, a span of 40 games.  Unreal.

The win is welcome relief from the struggles of the offense so far in 2011.  The Caps had scored just three goals in their last three contests, and five goals are the highest total so far in the new year.

Bradley's remark might have been good bulletin board material, but make no mistake, this was a very big win for the Caps.  It pulls them within three of division-leading Tampa Bay, who is also second in the Eastern Conference.

Lest no one convince you otherwise, the Capitals still see the Southeast as their turf, and winning the division is still a big deal to them, especially now that all five of the teams have a legitimate shot of making the second season.

The Caps even tried sending messages, wtih Matt Bradley and Matt Hendricks both fighting in the first period, trying to set the tone.

It's also a big deal considering Washington's next opponent: the Pittsburgh Penguins on Super Bowl Sunday.  It will be much easier to prepare for a marquee matchup without being pestered for 48 hours about falling to a division opponent on the road.

The Caps have spent all season mixing multiple rookies in and out of the lineup in all phases of the game.  They've also dealt with long-term injuries to several veterans.  They've been scratching their heads trying to figure out "What's Wrong with the Washington Capitals."

They've needed their best players to play like it, and that's been missing for the most part since the first of Decemeber.

Last night was the first time in a long time that this team looked like itself:  pressuring on the forecheck, getting quality shots on goal, following up those shots with rebound attempts, and their best players playing like it.

Dedicated.  Involved.  Having fun.

How far they'll go the rest of the way depends on their willingness to following that formula.

THE GOOD: Other than the obvious goodness of Ovi, Nicky and Brooks all lighting the lamp, the Caps also had a very strong night in the dot, winning 60 percent of the faceoffs.  Of particular note: Marcus Johansson (7-of-8), Jay Beagle (7-of-8) and David Steckel (6-of-7).

THE BAD: No shots on goal from the second or third line centers, Johansson and Mathieu Perreault.

THE UGLY: Steve Downie.  That's all.

THE STATS: Nicklas Backstrom (13) from Alex Ovechkin (33) and Mike Green (16) at 9:09 of 1st.  Brooks Laich (10) from Mathieu Perreault (5) and Jay Beagle (1) at 6:38 of 2nd.  Alex Ovechkin (20) from Nicklas Backstrom (35) and John Carlson (17) at 8:25 of 2nd (PP).  Nicklas Backstrom (14) from Alex Ovechkin (34) and Jason Chimera (11) at 12:22 of 3rd.  Jason Chimera (8) from Alex Ovechkin (35) and Nicklas Backstrom (36) at 19:22 of 3rd (EN).

NEXT GAME: Super Sunday at 2:00 pm v. Pittsburgh Penguins at Verizon Center

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. Semyon Varlamov. Only called on to face 25 shots, but made several key saves in the third before the insurance goals that sealed it.

2. Alex Ovechkin.  Goal.  Three assists.  Ten shots on goal, four hits.  Looks like the All-Star Game loosened him up a little.  Happy Ovi = Good Ovi.

1. Nick Backstrom.  Two goals, two assists, five shots, 52% on draws.  Where has this guy been?

"I almost forgot how it was to score a goal." Nicklas Backstrom, obviously relieved his 21-game goal-less streak is over.

THE RESULT:  The last time Nicklas Backstrom scored an NHL goal was Dec. 1 in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.  It was the Washington Capitals fourth straight win and their record was 18-6-2, good for first in the Eastern Conference.

The HBO cameras had not yet arrived.  The Winter Classic was just a gleam in everyone's eye.  And they had not yet started the eight-game losing streak that killed the early-season moment, though it would commence the next night in Dallas.

But last night on Long Island, Backstrom got his mojo back with a goal (12) and an assist, leading the Caps to victory over the cellar-dwelling New York Islanders, 2-1, before an announced 9,119 at the dreary Nassau Coliseum.

Jason Chimera had the Caps other goal, while captain Alex Ovechkin had the primary assist on both markers.

Rookie goalie Braden Holtby, recalled in the morning for the ailing Michal Neuvirth, started and saved 24-of-25 shots on goal.

Ovechkin was the instigator on both goals.  He fed Chimera, camping in the crease, for a redirect to take a 1-0 lead early in the first period.  Then in the second, he made a strong move going to the net and had his attempt stopped by Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro (22 saves), but Backstrom followed it up and merely tapped the puck into the net to seal the deal.

New York got their goal less than two minutes later, as Michael Grabner corralled a long pass and skated around John Carlson, roofing a shot on Holtby as he cut through the crease.

Despite some anxious moments killing off power plays, Washington kept the young Islanders, and their leading scorer John Tavares, bottled up the rest of the evening.  Taveras got five shots on goal, but none were quality scoring chances.

So the Caps have now taken three out of four available points to them so far on this three-game road trip, with Saturday night's matchup in Toronto looming.  Hockey Night in Canada is never a fun game to play in, especially at the end of a week-long roadie. 

But last night's win should buoy the spirit of this team, still trying to find itself though we're past the half-way point of the season.  For the past month and a half, the Caps have been playing under a bad moon, heads hung low and dragging their feet, wondering what bad luck would befall them next.

Last night, for the first time in a long time, they looked like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.  None moreso than Backstrom, who was in the deepest slump of his young career.  Both goals came as a result of forwards driving to the net.  The grinders (notably Boyd Gordon and Matt Hendricks) dug in the corner for pucks.  Defensemen shut down passing lanes and clogged the neutral zone.

It wasn't a dominating game by any stretch of the imagination and the opponent wasn't the fiercest.  But it was a hard-fought two points, and the Caps needed the effort -- and the result.

THE GOOD:  The penalty kill team killed all six minor penalties against.  The defense in general, against a pretty weak Islanders attack, looked good all night, holding them to just 25 shots.

The Caps had the best in the dot as well, winning 62 percent of the draws.

THE BAD:  Mathieu Perreault's tripping penalty at 9:34 of the 3rd was infuriating.  The Islander d-man was clearing the puck from behind his own net and Perreault came barrelling for him, lost his edge, reached out his stick, and tripped up the defenseman unnecessarily, causing much angst for the two minute disadvantage.

THE UGLY:  Not that there was anything ugly about his performance, but D.J. King only got six shifts and 3:25 of TOI, and that's with the Islanders carrying two of the top fighters in the league.  It's pretty apparent where he fits into Bruce Boudreau's system.

THE STATS: Jason Chimera (7) from Alex Ovechkin (31) and Nicklas Backstrom (32) at 3:41 of 1st. Nicklas Backstrom (12) from Alex Ovechkin (32) and John Carlson (15) at 3:38 of 2nd.

NEXT GAME:  Hockey Night in Canada: Saturday at Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:00 pm.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. Jason Chimera/Braden Holtby.  Can't make up my mind.  Couldn't have been easy for Holtby to rush to Long Island and make 24-of-25 saves.  Chimmy had six shots on goal and a couple of big hits.  Respect the speed.

2. Alex Ovechkin.  He only managed one SOG and two others blocked, but had the primary assist on both goals, and looks more like himself every game.  It's coming.

1. Nicklas Backstrom.  Goal, assist, plus-2, 10-for-14 in the dot.  His best game in weeks.  Even snuck in an expletive directed at an Islanders player after the final horn.  Stay Angry, Nicky.

The Washington Capitals have played this season with a target on their backs as the reigning President's Trophy winner.  Tonight's opponent, the Vancouver Canucks, come into Verizon Center with the league's best record, and a 17-game point streak broken last night by the New York Rangers.

I canvassed the locker room this morning, asking how the Caps feel playing the role of underdog against a very hot, very talented Vancouver team.

"They're the best team in the league," Coach Bruce Boudreau said.  "It's a great test for us. Hopefully we can meet the test.  Last year when we went to Vancouver it was turned around and they ended up winning 3-2 in a great hockey game and I assume it's gonna be a great hockey game tonight with both teams playing as hard as they can."

Eric Fehr, do you think playing the role of underdog might help loosen this Caps team up?  "Yeah, I think that'll be good for us.  We get an opportunity to play one of the top teams in the league at home.  You know, they played last night and I think its going to be important for us to try to jump on them."

"It's a little strange, we definitely aren't used to [playing underdog]," said Karl Alzner. "It's nice to be on the opposite side now and get that feeling sometimes, maybe over the last few months here teams get pretty geared up to play us."

Nick Backstrom, on being ready for the league's top team: "Yeah, I think so.  Sometimes that's good.  We feel like we're ready for this challenge and they're a great team, so we have to be at the top of our game to get two points."

_________________________

Boudreau addressed F Matt Bradley's injury status after practice, saying he thought there was a chance that the gritty winger could play at the end of next week, but more than likely he was still 10 days to to weeks from seeing game action.  Bradley practiced during the scratches skate this morning with D.J. King.

D Tyler Sloan was sent on a conditioning assignment to AHL Hershey.  The team has 14 days to recall Sloan or send him through waivers to assign him outright to the minors.

_________________________

Washington Capitals Vice President of Communications Nate Ewell announced his resignation from the team this morning, effective Feb. 9.  Ewell has accepted the position of Director of Communications with College Hockey, Inc., in Newton MA.

Ewell has been instrumental in transforming the Capitals into one of the most technologically savvy organizations in all of sports.  His media relations department is a multiple award winner in hockey, and is renown for their professionalism and innovation.

He, along with Ted Leonsis, has revolutionized how the Capitals are covered on an independent level, and their influence has been felt throughout hockey.  Working with bloggers and independent journalists in the Washington, DC market, they have established a credentialing process for independents and an atmosphere of openness in the press box. 

The organization gets it, and Nate's been the one implementing it.  Caps News Network wishes nothing but the best for Nate in his future endevours, and good luck to his replacement.  Whoever takes the position has big shoes to fill, indeed.

THE RESULTS:  Semyon Varlamov made 37 saves, leading the Washington Capitals to their fourth consecutive victory, over Yaroslav Halak and the St. Louis Blues, 4-1.  The Caps extend their league-leading record to 18-6-2 (38 points) and now have a four point lead over Philadelphia for the conference lead.

It's little solice defeating the goalie that single-handedly ousted the Caps from last year's playoffs in the first round with his new team.  But every win for this team is important -- especially on the road --  whether it's exorcizing old demons or not.

It's the first time the Caps have won in the Gateway since Oct. 26, 1996, a stretch of eight games (0-7-1).

What else happened in 1996?

--Federal minimum wage raised to $4.75.

--Prince Charles and Lady Diana got divorced.

--Ebay started online auction and shopping website.

--Gas cost $1.22 on nationwide average.

--Summer Olympics in Atlanta marred by explosion.

--O.J. Simpson trial started.

--DVDs launched in Japan.

--Independence Day and Jerry Maguire ruled the box office.

--Bill Clinton re-elected, defeating Bob Dole and Ross Perot for President.

That's how long it's been since the Caps won in St. Louis.

Wednesday night, Washington got goals from Brooks Laich and Boyd Gordon, and Nicklas Backstrom had a pair and an assist in a good road win.

But the story was Varlamov.  He played his best game of the season, much better than even his shutout against Tampa Bay.  He was challenged thoughout the game, and made several spectacular saves, robbing Blues players with every part of his equipment -- including his facemask.

One particular great save was on Blues winger Brad Boyes on a power play.  A long shot from the point was kicked out to Boyes, standing alone at the bottom of the left wing dot.  Boyes flipped the puck into a seemingly empty net, but Varlamov sprung to the opposite side of the net to get his right pad on the post and blocker pad in the way of the unchallenged shot.

In his last four games, Varlamov is 4-0-0 with a 1.28 goals against average. 

It's a good sign that Varlamov has played so well during this winning streak with Michal Neuvirth a little banged up and needing a rest, having pulled the bulk of duty while Varlamov was out with a groin injury.  One of coach Bruce Boudreau's biggest challenge this season will be finding enough playing time for both of his 22-year old goaltenders to keep them both sharp throughout the season.

It's a good problem to have, two young, good goaltenders on the big club, and another one at the AHL level.  What many thought might be a problem coming into the season is turning out to be one of the team's biggest strengths.

THE GOOD:  As time was expiring and playing five-on-six, Alex Ovechkin picked up a puck at mid-ice and weaved through the neutral zone and took the puck to the far wall until Backstrom could catch up with the play, where Ovi hit his center streaking to the net for an empty net goal. 

It was a classy move by the captain who hasn't scored a goal in two weeks now.  He easily could have gotten off the schneid, but chose to give the opportunity to his teammate.  Strong.

THE BAD:  Eric Fehr.  I didn't hear his name called all night.  Had the two quietest shots on goal this season.

THE UGLY:  Tom Poti missed most of the third period with an undisclosed problem.  Nice to have some depth on the blue line now, eh?

THE STATS:  Laich (7) from Backstrom (19) and Semin (13) at 8:12 of 1st (PP).  Gordon (1) from Poti (1) and King (1) at 10:02 of 1st.  Backstrom (10) from Knuble (6) and Carlson (9) at 7:06 of 3rd.  Backstrom (11) from Ovechkin (23) and Erskine (4) at 19:25 of 3rd (EN).

NEXT GAME:  Thursday night in Dallas against the Stars at 8:30 pm EST.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. John Erskine.  Assist and plus-2.  Five hits and two blocks.  He wants to stay in the lineup once new d-man Scott Hannan gets a sweater. Good work on final kill with Jeff Schultz in the box and Tom Poti in the locker room with an undisclosed problem.

2. Nicklas Backstrom.  Two goals and an assist.  Plus-2.  Six shots on goal.  Even had three hits.  Only knock was 38% face off percentage.

1. Semyon Varlamov.  37 saves. many spectacular.  The Caps played a pretty good game, but he was clearly their best player in this one.

THE RESULT:  On Friday night, the Washington Capitals were beaten and embarrassed by a division opponent.  Saturday night, they rebounded against one of their biggest competitors for supremacy in the Eastern Conference, earning a point when it would have been easy enough to fold as they did the previous night.

Instead, they fought back from two third period defecits to the Philadelphia Flyers before falling in a shootout, 5-4, before another sellout at Verizon Center.

Down 3-1 midway through the third, the Capitals (14-5-2, 1st in SE) started the comeback with a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal off a scrum in front of the goal.  Jason Chimera tied the game at three just 28 seconds later, banging home his own rebound against Brian Boucher (33 saves). 

Andreas Nodl put a backhand through Michal Neuvirth (31 saves) after Tomas Fleischmann failed to clear the zone and both Mike Green and Jeff Schultz were left flat-footed to re-take the lead.  But with just 39 seconds remaining, skating six-on-four with Danny Briere in the box for high-sticking, Eric Fehr slammed a slap shot from 15 feet to knot the game and sent it to overtime.

After an exciting overtime period, Briere made up for his late penalty, registering the sole tally in the shootout to take the extra point in this big Eastern Conference matchup.

Both teams played hard in this one with something to prove.  The Caps were coming off an embarrassing 5-0 shut out and the Flyers were beaten 8-7 by Tampa Bay Thursday night.  It was apparent early that both teams would be physically and emotionally involved.

“Both teams were coming off games that they probably didn’t feel very good about themselves," Coach Bruce Boudreau said after the game. "I think two very proud teams wanted to get back and show that they could play.”

It's the type of game that Alex Ovechkin usually relishes, but the two-time Hart Trophy winner really didn't put his stamp on this one.  Playing the point on the power play, he misfired wide several times and just didn't insinuate himself into this one that much.

But as Coach Bruce Boudreau said post-game, the Caps had just about their worst week of the season, and still ended up .500 for the week, and took a point away against a top opponent.

Considering the beat-down they took in Atlanta and the hole they dug for themselves in the second period, the Caps should be happy with that.

THE GOOD:  Marcus Johansson.  Notchinghis second goal of the season, the young rookie played his best game so far this year on the third line tonight.  It's a much better fit for him than trying to center either of the top two lines.  Only won a third of his draws though.

THE BAD:  Alex Ovechkin.  Won't find his name here very often, but Ovi did not have a great game.  Managed three shots, but missed on six shots and had another five blocked.  The Great 8 is not firing on all cylinders right now.

THE UGLY:  Alexander Semin.  As well as he's played lately, he was that bad tonight.  Just two shots and three minor penalties, interference, slashing and tripping.  A trifecta of suck.

THE STATS:  Johansson (2) from Chimera (6) and Bradley (5) at 8:10 of 1st.  Backstrom (7) from Ovechkin (16) and Laich (9) at 11:03 of 3rd (PP).  Chimera (4) from Hendricks (4) and Fleischmann (5) at 11:31 of 3rd (PP).  Fehr (4) from Laich (10) and Semin (12) at 19:21 of 3rd (PP).

NEXT GAME:  Monday at 7:00 pm at New Jersey Devils.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. Jason Chimera.  Goal and assist.  He's playing very well, using his speed and instincts to his advantage.  His assist between his legs on Johansson's goal was a beauty.

2.  Eric Fehr.  Had the game-tying goal, played physically, and was active down low.

1. John Carlson.  He was minus-1 in the stat sheet, but the dude was everywhere tonight.  Great positional defense, used his size along the boards, and jumped into the play on  the offensive end at the right times.  Four shots, three hits, four blocks.  That's having a presence.

CAPS NOTES

The Capitals scored a season-high three power play goals in the third period while the penalty killing unit only surrendered one goal on nine power play chances.

Marcus Johansson scored his second goal of the season at 8:10 of the first period. It was his first point since returning from an injury that saw him miss eight games and his first goal since Oct. 19 (vs. Boston). Johansson also registered three shots on net in 13:15 of ice time.


 David Steckel, who came into tonight’s game ranked third in the NHL in faceoffs (62.6%), won seven of nine faceoffs (78.0%) while also registering three hits in 10:26 of ice time.

THE RESULT:  The Caps have been waiting for a game like this.

Shaking off a sluggish first period, the Washington Capitals scored six times in the second stanza, en route to routing the Calgary Flames 7-2, before 19,289 in the Saddledome on Hockey Night in Canada.

The Caps (7-4-0-14) shook the rust off their power play, scoring three straight man-advantage goals, erasing a 2-0 first period defecit that could have been even larger were it not for the continued stellar play of rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth.

But Washington's skaters finally were able to take the pressure off Neuvirth (27 saves on 29 shots), continuing to light the lamp after finally taking the lead.

Coach Bruce Boudreau changed his lines around again tonight, moving Alexander Semin up to the top line, and the change paid dividends.  All three forwards had at least one goal, with Alex Ovechkin scoring twice in a span of 12 seconds, just two seconds longer than Stephen Leach needed to set the Caps record for fastest two goals from one player, 20 years ago next month.

Defenseman Mike Green had his best game of the season, with his first goal and two assists.  He played more of his game and was not as tentative as he has been since returning to the line up three games ago from his shoulder injury.

It was clearly his most complete game of the season.

Even fourth line grinders Matt Bradley and David Steckel got into the act.  Bradley got credit for a goal when Calgary defenseman Cory Sarich knocked the puck off Bradley's stick into his own net, and Steckel was awarded a penalty shot on a short-handed breakaway when he was hauled down from defenseman Mark Giordano. 

Steckel buried it for his first goal of the year off the normally Mikka Kiprusoff (21 saves on 27 shots).

It wasn't all offense for the Capitals, though it was nice to see all the goals.  The penalty kill was perfect again, going six-for-six a man down.

The slow first period, where the Caps were outshot 16-8, kept this one from being called a "60-minute" game, something that so far has escaped the Capitals this season.  But the speed and efficiency of Washington's goal-scoring prowess in the second period was impressive to watch. 

The last couple of games it's been tough to watch the Caps hit posts and fire wide and generally look uninterested and unimaginitive.  Funny how one 20 minute burst of domination can change your outlook on a team.  This is what we expected to see out of the Capitals this season. 

Hopefully this dominant display woke something up in every player that wears the Capitals logo on their chest.

THE GOOD:  Scoring six goals in a period is big, but seeing the power play convert three opportunities, including scoring on a 5-on-3 and the resulting 5-on-4 12 seconds later has to be a relief to all of American's Hcokey Capital.

THE BAD:  Six more minor penalties.  They didn't come back to haunt the Caps, but they are really playing with fire relying on the kill to continue it's stellar play.

THE UGLY:  The only real ugly was the Caps' start, getting down by two goals again -- and it could have been more.  Last season the first period was a strong suit for the Caps, but so far in this campaign the opening 20 minutes have been nothing but trouble.  Thankfully Neuvirth was up to the task once again.

THE STATS:  Nicklas Backstrom (4) from Mike Green (3) and Brooks Laich (3) at 15:22 of 1st (PP).  Alex Ovechkin (6) from Green (4) and Backstrom (4) at 3:43 of 2nd (PP).  Ovechkin (7) from Alexander Semin (4) and Jason Chimera (2) at 3:55 of 2nd (PP).  Green (1) from Semin (4) and Backstrom (5) at 10:28 of 2nd.  Matt Bradley (unassisted) at 10:41 of 2nd.  Semin (6) from Ovechkin (6) and Backstrom (6) at 13:33 of 2nd.  David Steckel (penalty shot) at 18:23 of 2nd.

NEXT GAME:  Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7:00 pm against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Verizon Center.

CAPS NOTES:  Boyd Gordon returned to the lineup.  He took a delay of game penalty and skated 25 shifts for 16:28 TOI, including 5:09 shorthanded.  Eric Fehr and Mattieau Perrault were healthy scratches.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3.  Nicklas Backstrom.  Goal and three assists.  Super Swede has his best game of the season.

2.  Mike Green.  First goal of the season and two helpers.  Starting to look like he feels better.

1.  Alex Ovechkin.  Two power play goals when the contest was still in doubt and a helper on Semin's marker.

THE RESULT:  Michal Neuvirth was stellar in net and Nicklas Backstrom broke out with two goals, leading the Washington Capitals to a 3-0 shutout over the Carolina Hurricanes in their home opener, before 18,680 at the RBC Center in Raleigh.

Matt Hendricks also chipped in with his first goal as a Capital to kick the scoring off in the first period.

It was the Capitals most complete game of the season, with all four lines contributing pressure.  The Caps centers, including much-maligned Tomas Fleischmann, controlled the faceoff circle.  And the return of two important veterans noticably bolstered the energy and offensive flow.

“I thought that was easily our most complete game by everybody,” says Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “You get contributions by the fourth line, the penalty killing, and I thought the goaltending was great. Everybody did a good job.”


But the bottom line was the goaltending.  Neuvirth was simply outstanding, saving all 29 shots on goal he faced, earning his first NHL career shutout.  The rookie netminder ran his record to 6-2, with a 2.18 GAA and .929 save percentage.

“I think we played a great game as a team,” said Neuvirth. “For the first time we did everything right and it’s a big two points on the road. The shutout is just an unexpected bonus for myself. But I’m happy with the two points.”

Neuvy made an especially impressive save on Carolina captain Eric Staal during a power play.  Staal fired a one-timer after a nice cross-crease pass, and the 22-year old Czech goalie did the splits to get back to the far post and made a terrific lunging, low glove save to keep Carolina off the board in what was a 1-0 game to that point.

Neuvirth wasn't the only hero though.  The Capitals played perhaps their strongest complete game of the season.  The Caps blocked 16 shots and kept the shots primarily from the perimeter where the goalie could see them coming.

Coach Bruce Boudreau noticed the effort from his blue liners.  “We’ve struggled with our defensemen a little bit this year, but I thought it was the best game for about three of them of the year. They kept it simple, they did easy things, cleared it. We blocked a lot of shots, it seemed to me."

It's no coincidence the Caps played better, as Wednesday night saw the return to the lineup of two very important players: Mike Green and Matt Bradley.

Even the most casual of fans can watch the Caps and see how much of a difference Green makes in moving the puck and controlling the tempo of the game.  He's an asset that the Capitals really miss when he's not out there. 

Bradley is the soul of this team.  The plucky winger dished out hits and along with linemates David Steckel and Matt Hendricks worked really hard defending Carolina's skilled players.  The line was even responsible for the first goal of the night.

Defenseman John Erskine -- who isn't getting enough compliments for his good play this season -- fired slap shot from the point.  Steckel crashed the goal -- literally -- as he collided with Carolina goalie Cam Ward (30 saves on 32 shots) in front of the blue goalie crease.  Steckel was able to guide the rebound, laying on his side, to Hendricks in the slot who dumped the puck into the open net.

After a review, the goal stood.  It was the only goal needed for the night.

Nicklas Backstrom did add some insurance though.  Mike Knuble took a pass from Alex Ovechkin and broke out down the right wing boards, unleashing a slap shot from the top of the circle.  Ward could not control the big rebound and it came out all the way to the left wing dot, where Backstrom buried it in stride.  It's the first time in two weeks the Caps' top line has connected in concern with one another.

Backstrom added an empty net, short-handed goal with a minute and a half left to play in the contest.

So the first game of the three-game trip is in the books, and the Caps face Minnesota tonight in the middle stanza.  It will be a good test for the Caps resiliency to see if they can handle a game Wild crew on consecutive days on the road.

THE GOOD:  The Caps completely dominated in the dot.  Tomas Fleischmann went 8-of-11 (73 percent) and David Steckel went 13-of-17 (76 percent) to lead the Caps individually.  The Hurricanes came into the game with the lowest faceoff percentage in the NHL, and the Caps did what they were supposed to do.  If you have the puck, it's a lot easier to control the tempo.

THE BAD:  Washington took five minor penalties, including three in the late second period while they controlled a 1-0 game and Mike Green's unnecessary tripping call at 17:17 of the third.  The penalty kill was able to bail out the offenders, but the lack of discipline is going to bite this team if they aren't more careful. 

THE UGLY:  Sticking with the penalty theme, Alex Ovechkin took a charging penalty late in the second, leaving his feet to launch at Chad LaRose in the corner, hitting the Carolina winger high.  Ovi was lucky LaRose saw him coming, or the shoulder/elbow he was leading with would have caught LaRose in the head, potentially turning a two minute penalty into something much worse.

In the Atlanta game, Ovi was hitting everything and there were no problems, but last night was the type of dangerous hit Ovi needs to avoid.

THE STATS:  Matt Hendricks (1) from David Steckel (1) and John Erskine (1) at 10:47 of 1st.  Nicklas Backstrom (2) from Mike Knuble (2) and Alex Ovechkin (5) at 12:33 of 3rd.  Nicklas Backstrom (3) from Mike Knuble (3) and Jeff Schultz (2) at 18:32 of 3rd (SH-EN).

NEXT GAME:  Tonight at 8:00 pm eastern v. Minnesota Wild (3-3-2-8)

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3.  Matt Bradley.  He's back.  All is right with the world.  Just his presence helped bring an air of confidence last night.

2.  Nicklas Backstrom.  Whether he's been dealing with some nagging soreness or just in a slump, Super Swede is starting to look more like himself.

1.  Michal Neuvirth.  What more need be said?  Just an awesome performance in the first game of a three-game, four-day road trip.  Exactly what you want out of your No. 1 goaltender.  Yeah, I said it.

*Quotes in this story used from various publications, including NHL.com.

The Washington Capitals are struggling offensively right now.  They sit exactly middle-of-the-pack (15th) in the NHL in goals per game at 2.71, and if you factor out a seven-goal outburst in the home opener, well, the struggles are even more amplified.

One of the Caps biggest off-season concerns has now turned into a regular season nightmare:  center play.  Nicklas Backstrom is off to a fairly terrible start.  With one goal (credited when an Alex Ovechkin slapshot hit him and went into the net) and three assists, his production is well short of what is expected out of the Super Swede, coming off his career year last season of 101 points.

It's easy to look at Backstrom's slump and say "It's only seven games."  But it's worrisome that his minus-2 rating and woefully inadequate 6.3 shooting percentage isn't better just by accident.  Nicky is still winning his share of draws (57.1 percent), and Coach Bruce Boudreau can do nothing but hope that Backstrom will break out of his doldrums in a big way and in a big hurry.

Still, it's curious that he signed a huge contract this past off-season and then gets off to the worst start of his NHL career.

As for the others?

Currently, the center on the second line between The Enigma (Alexnader Semin) and Iron Man (Brooks Laich) is just-turned 20-year old Marcus Johansson.  The younger Swede has had moments of brilliance and is a slick puck handler and terrific skater.  But he is not strong enough physically right now to really compete on a daily basis with veterans in the NHL.  He is literally a boy among men.

He is also -- despite his obvious skills -- not producing.  One goal, no assists, and just 34.0 percent in the dot isn't getting it done.  He's only put six shots on net.  He's getting beaten physically and positionally on defense.  Is giving on-the-job training to a 20-year old -- on the second line -- a luxury the Capitals can afford right now?

Next, we come to everyone's favorite whipping boy, Tomas Fleischmann.  I'm going to say this one more time: He is out of position at center.  He's got two goals and two assists and is tied for the team lead at plus-4.  But his faceoff percentage is as bad as Johansson's at 36.1.  Boudreau doesn't trust him, evidenced by his TOI/G at just 15:15 and the fact that Boudreau isn't giving Flash any defensive zone draws.

Fleischmann also is a bad defender.  He is pushed off the puck much too easily for a guy that's been around a while now.  He is constantly losing physical battles and seems indifferent to back-checking.

Further down the roster is David Steckel and Boyd Gordon.  Both have the reputation for being good faceoff men and stout penalty killers.  But Steckel hasn't really made much difference on the ice this season after not getting a sweater for opening night, and Gordon hasn't even been on the ice the last three games with an undisclosed injury, after at one point Boudreau calling him a "healthy" scratch.

In the last couple of game recaps I've alluded to the possibility of a roster shake-up if the Caps offensive woes continue.  It's not a stretch to think that the center position is the first place a roster tweak could happen, should GM George McPhee and Boudreau think that's necessary.

THE RESULT:  Let's make no mistake about tonight's 2-1 win:  If the Washington Capitals were playing a better, healthier team than the New York Islanders they probably would have faced a different result.

As it was, Alex Ovechkin scored once and had a big blast from just inside the blue line redirected by Nicklas Backstrom for the game winner, and the Caps (3-1-0) escaped with their third straight win, in front of a depleted announced crowd of 18,398 at Verizon Center.

It was a sloppy game for Washington, one where they could certainly be accused of playing down to their opponent.  But the Islanders (1-1-1) were the aggressors all evening, holding the puck in the Caps end almost at will and winning the vast majority of loose pucks.

Coach Bruce Boudreau acknowledged New York's effort, especially early, when they took the lead in the first period.  "They came to play. They're gonna be a tough foe for anybody."

But the bottom line is that the Islanders, who are not contenders when healthy, were missing their two top scorers and top defender to injury in John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Mark Streit, and their top free agent, defenseman James Wisniewski, to suspension for his lewd gesture against the Rangers Monday night.

This was a team the Capitals should have dominated, and they simply played flat, tired and uninspired. 

Playing their fourth game in six nights certainly played a part, but motivation to play games against non-contenders in the regular season is going to be a challenge for Boudreau all season long.

Only brief explosions of overwhelming talent -- and another stellar performance from a 22-year old goaltender -- carried them on this night.

Michal Neuvirth again carried his teammates (23-of-24 saves), often left to fend by himself, including a breakaway by Matt Moulson in the third period tied at one where Mike Green simply whiffed on a long outlet pass in the middle of the ice. 

"I was just trying to stay patient," Neuvirth said calmly.  "That was a big save for us."

Neuvirth has arguably been one of the Caps' two best players thus far this season.  But with Semyon Varlamov returning from injury and available Saturday, once again the situation between the pipes will be muddled.  For Neuvirth though, he's in a very strong comfort zone right now.

“It’s all about confidence,” says the 22-year-old Czech. “Everybody says you get more confident with every minute on the ice. It’s been great. It’s been a tough week, but I’m feeling great and I’m pretty happy with the effort. Three wins in a row, it means a lot to me.”

He leads the league with three wins (3-1), and he now has a 2.22 GAA and a .924 save pct. on the young season.

As for the game winner, it came on the power play, Washington's just second of the season on 17 attempts.  Boudreau didn't seem concerned about the unit's struggles after the game.  "It was just a matter of time.  With the people you put out there, hopefully they simplify it and they got one at the right time."

Alexander Semin dug the puck out of the corner and hit John Carlson at the point.  Carlson slid it over to Ovi, who wound up with a big one-timer that hit Backstrom just a couple feet from Islanders' goalie Dwayne Roloson.

"I was just standing in front of the net there and [Ovechkin] was shooting at my feet," Backstrom said. "He hit my foot. It was kind of lucky he didn't hit it too hard, otherwise I probably couldn't walk tomorrow."

So the Caps complete a three-game homestand with three victories and now travel to face a game Nashville squad, off to a 2-0 start before a home-and-home with Boston next week. 

The Caps better hope that a couple days off clears their heads and they come to realize that two points against the Islanders in October mean the same as against Pittsburgh in January.

THE GOOD:  Neuvirth.  23 saves on 24 shots, several at point blank and without help, such as the breakaway.  He was in control all the way tonight.

THE BAD:  Brooks Laich.  The "Iron Man" didn't distinguish himself tonight, struggling in all phases of his game.  He still worked hard, as that's the only thing that doesn't slump, but nothing clicked for him, missing passes and finding himself out of position on more than one occasion.

THE UGLY:  Mike Green.  As well as he's played so far this season, that's how poorly he played tonight.  Now, he got popped in the chops pretty hard early which may have affected him all night, but he had two bad turnovers, and twice was just outskated (including on the breakaway), losing position that led to quality scoring opportunities for the Isles.

On top of all that, after the breakaway he went for a big hit in the corner but only ended up hurting himself.  He left the game and did not return, missing the power play goal.  Boudreau saidhe suffered a stinger and was "day-to-day", but did not seem overly concerned.

THE STATS:  Ovechkin (4) from Backstrom (1) at 18:19 of 2nd.  Backstrom (1) from Ovechkin (3) and Carlson (4) at 16:21 of 3rd (PP).

NEXT GAME:  Saturday night at Nashville at 8:00 pm eastern.  Nashville (2-0-0) beat Chicago tonight 3-2. 

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS OF THE GAME

3.  Nicklas Backstrom.  Deflected goal and assist for Nicky.  The numbers were better than overall play, but so few candidates for Caps stars tonight.

2.  Alex Ovechkin.  Lifted the team on his shoulders as the captain should.  Two big plays was all it took.

1.  Michael Neuvirth.  He was the best player ont he ice for the Caps tonight.  He saved the Caps bacon on more than one occasion.

CAPS NOTES: 

RW D.J. King, Washington's new enforcer who played in his first game of the season, got into a fight just 2:47 into his Capitals career, squaring off against Islanders LW Trevor Gillies.

The Caps scratched D Tom Poti (lower body), RW Matt Bradley (lower body) and C Marcus Johansson (leg).  Poti and Bradley are expected to play Saturday, but Johansson may take a couple more games, though he took part in the pre-game skate.

Washington did not allow a power play goal in three attempts and remains perfect on the season at 15-of-15 penalty kills.

D.J. King fought Travis Gilles to a draw in his first shift as a Capital. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

Jason Chimera, looking right at ya, during pre-game skate. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

Tomas Fleischmann in a candid during pre-game skate. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

John Carlson was one of several Caps that struggled on defense tonight. (C.Nichols/Caps News Network)