The IIHF's new rules on the spelling of Russian surnames hasn't taken effect yet in the NHL, but whether you spell it Semin, Syomin, or just plain Sasha, the enigmatic Russian had one of those night, tallying three times in a Washington Capitals 7-6 win over the Anaheim Ducks, winners of eight of their last ten games entering play.

As a result, the Capitals inched past Montreal for fifth place in the conference with 70 points, just four behind Southeast Division leading Tampa bay.

Trailing entering the third period, Semin tied the fast-paced game at six mid-way through the frame -- banging home a bouncing puck -- and netted the game-winner with just 1:47 remaining, sneaking a backhander shortside against backup goalie Curtis McElhinney, playing for All-Star Jonas Hiller, placed on the injured list earlier in the day with fatigue symptoms.

It was an exhilarating ending to one of the wildest, craziest games you'd ever want to see.  Especially considering the fact the Capitals had scored just six goals in their last four games combined.  Even though they surrendered six as well, it was refreshing to see the Caps look like, well, the Caps, after playing under a fog for so long at times this season.

But the Caps might have found something else in addition to the goal scoring touch along the way:  Much-Needed Passion.

Perhaps it was the result of another tongue-lashing from their coach after allowing a short-handed goal. Perhaps they fed off the energy brought by defenseman John Erksine, who roughed up Duck defender Andy Sutton after he maliciously boarded Matt Hendricks (Hendy was okay despite the scary-looking hit). But whatever it was, they played differently after that sequence of events.

Washington actually took a 2-1 lead on Brooks Laich's 12th goal of the season just mid-way through the first period, but surrendered the next three goals, including the shorty by Corey Perry (29). David Steckel and Semin answered just 1:49 apart to draw even, but Lubomir Visnovsky managed to sneak a long-range wrister through to give Anaheim the advantage heading into the second intermission.

Mike Knuble tied it just 58 seconds into the third with a nifty deke on a breakaway, sprung by Nicklas Backstrom. Bobby Ryan scored at 5:51 for Anaheim to provide a 6-5 lead, setting up Sasha Minor's heroics.

Semin did not look good his first two games back after missing 12 games with his lower body injury. But last night's performance reminds all Caps fans why GM George McPhee keeps signing the guy to one-year contracts. At any time, he can be the best player on the ice. Even on a team with Alex Ovechkin and Nick Backstrom.

The Great Eight was a strong presence in this one as well.  Ovechkin opened the Caps scoring with a breakaway shot he took falling down that beat McElhinney through the five-hole. He later assisted on Semin's first goal. He was credited for four hits, but seemed like he was just all over the place.

This was indeed a wild affair.  There were 13 goals total.  Washington erased three deficits.  Both D.C. goalies played -- and struggled.  And of course, the hattie.

But the Caps grabbed two points out west with three more games left on this grueling road trip.  San Jose Thursday night.  Buffalo Sunday on national television.  Pittsburgh Monday on national television.

It doesn't get any easier.  But this is the hole the Capitals have dug for themselves. 

Last night they showed some pride battling back from three deficits to a good west coast team.  Let's see what they have left in the tank in San Jose against a team that shut them down, and out, just last week.

CAPS NOTES:  Michal Neuvirth gets the win, but stopped just nine of 12 shots.  Semyon Varlamov started and was yanked after the first, as he allowed three goals on nine shots.

It was Semin's seventh career hat trick and ended his 17-game goalless drought.

John Carlson was plus-4 and Karl Alzner was plus-3 on the night.  Anaheim rookie defenseman Cam Fowler was minus-5.

Alzner has three assists, Hendricks and Backstrom two apiece.  Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf had four point nights for Anaheim, both with a goal and three assists.

Mike Green did not play for the second straight game.  He was to be evaluated by doctors in California for his inner ear problem.

Patrick McNeill was recalled from AHL Hershey but did not play.  If he gets into a game on the trip, he will wear No. 46.

THE RESULT:  On the night that HBO premiered their 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic, the Washington Capitals continued in the role that has been scripted out for them: the ever-frustrated, not-so lovable losers; doomed to repeat a cycle of endless torment at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It's a familiar storyline that has been re-told in this area for several decades now, back at least to 1991, the first year the flightless fowl beat the Caps in a Stanley Cup Playoff series.

As beautifully shot, edited and narrated as the HBO special is, one thing remains clear:  Washington hockey is doomed.  At least, that's the message that is still being portrayed.

Wednesday night though, it was torment of a different structure, as Washington played perhaps it's best game in two weeks, but still found themselves on the losing end of a 2-1 overtime decision to another team named after less-than-intimidating winged creatures, the Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf scored with less than a minute remaining in the extra frame to extend the Capitals losing streak to seven games.  It was a familiar, if not stinging refrain, as the Caps outshot the Ducks by eight and scored the game's first goal...all for naught.

Once again, as has been common in this streak, the Caps got plenty of scoring chances.  But the puck just would not go in.  On the very first shift of the game by the first line, Nicklas Backstrom fanned twice on the same shot at an open net, and Mike Knuble fanned trying to get the rebound on net.

Three more posts and a crossbar.  A Ducks' defenseman sweeping a puck off the goal line.  Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller blocking a shot with the BACK of his paddle, sprawling to the ice after getting beaten badly.

No one wants to make excuses, but some of this is just ridiculous.

Watching the opening episode of HBO's award-winning documentary 24/7 as they chronicle the Caps and Penguins march to New Year's Day's Winter Classic, one has to wonder. "When are some of those bounces going to go the Caps' way?"

It was tough to watch, both Wednesday's loss and the hour-long episode on HBO.  But both featured the very things that hockey is made out of.  Toughness.  Timing.  Hard work.  Injuries and illness.  And opportunities capitalized and squandered.

The Capitals will win again, though right now it doesn't seem like it.  Two weeks ago they sat atop the league standings, and they are too talented to have this misery continue.

The roles are cast.  Heroes and villains.  Only the guys wearing red can change the script.

THE GOOD: The Caps fairly jumped all over the Ducks in the first period and outshot them 17-7.  It's just amazing how the Caps aren't getting any lucky bounces at all right now.

THE BAD: Karl Alzner.  The King has a lot of good hockey in  front of him, but lost -- then was outmuscled by -- Jeoffrey Lupul on Anaheim's first goal

THE UGLY: Mathieu Perreault.  Completely ineffective. No shots.  1-for-10 on faceoffs.

THE STATS: Brooks Laich (8) from John Carlson (11) and Nick Backstrom (23) at 14:22 of 1st.

NEXT GAME:  Saturday at the Boston Bruins at 7:00 pm.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. Matt Bradley.  Not much in the stat sheet (three hits), but matched up all night against Anaheim's top line with Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan.

2. Semyon Varlamov.  24 saves on 26 shots.  Played in control most of the night, couldn't be faulted on either goal.  Strong bounce-back effort from the debacle in New York Sunday.

1. Brooks Laich.  Nice work on the backhander for the goal and team-high seven shots on goal. Blocked  a sure goal when Varly got out of position.  Oh, and was a perfect 6-for-6 in the dot. If you want bread, go to the bakery.

THE CAPS WIN!!

The reigning NHL MVP and current NHL second star of the week, Alexander Ovechkin, extended his goal streak to five games and added three assists to help the Caps beat the Anaheim Ducks, 6-4.

Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Green scored less than two minutes apart early in the first period with the man advantage. Nicklas Backstrom, Matt Bradley and David Steckel also scored and Michael Nylander had two assists for the Capitals.

THE CAPITALS HAVE THE POWER! The Ducks have allowed more than one power-play goal in eight of their first 20 games. The Caps went 3-for-8 on the power play while winning for the sixth time in seven games.

Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger's shoulder check smacked Mike Green into the end boards late in the first period. Green missed his next few shifts and then did not return to the game. According to Washington Post Insider, Green was wearing a shoulder sling after the game and sounds like he will have it looked at in the morning. Apparently Green had looked forward to this game because he is a big Scott Niedermayer fan and asked for his stick after the game.

The Caps played without Alexander Semin, who missed his second-consecutive game because of an undisclosed upper-body injury. Sergei Fedorov missed his sixth-straight with a sprained ankle, as did Shaone Morrisonn due to a groin injury.
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THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
1. A. Ovechkin - WAS (Goals: 1, Assists: 3)
2. B. Ryan - ANA (Goals: 2, Assists: 1)
3. V. Kozlov - WAS (Goals: 0, Assists: 1)
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NOTES:
Ovechkin has 14 points in his last five games.
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NEXT GAME:
The Caps continue their California tour on Thursday, November 20th at the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30PM ET.

The Washington Capitals play the Anaheim Dukes tonight at 10pm ET which is the only meeting of the two teams this season. Hopefully the Caps will burn up the ice at the Honda Center, however, remain far away from the burning fires that are raging in southern California.

The Ducks are led by center Ryan Getzlaf, who has 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and right wingers Corey Perry with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) and Teemu Selanne with 18 points (nine goals, nine assists). Former Cap C Brian Sutherby will be on the ice to match up against his old team.
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WHERE TO WATCH OR LISTEN TO THE CAPS:

TV: Comcast Sports

NetRadio: Caps Radio 1500 & 820

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INJURIES:

WAS: D Brian Potheir (Consussion/OUT); D Shaone Morrisonn (Groin/Questionable); C/D Sergei Federov (Ankle/Questionable); LW Alexander Semin (Upper body/OUT)

ANA: D Francois Beauchemin (knee) and LW Brad Larsen (abdominal)