“I thought at times it was a very lackluster game. If you don’t play with emotion, it’s tough.” -- Coach Bruce Boudreau.

There are no shootouts in the playoffs, but the way this game went, it should not have gotten that far anyway.

Rookie All-Star Jeff Skinner threw a harmless looking shot toward Washington Capital goalie Semyon Varlamov 1:46 into the third period which inexplicably escaped the young Russian, bringing the Carolina Hurricanes to a two-all draw.

Skinner said, "I was just going to dump it in [but] there was just a little bit of space there so I just took it in and just tried to put it on net and luckily it went in.”

After going through the motions for the rest of the third period and overtime, the Caps predictably lost in the shootout on home ice, falling to a more desperate Hurricanes team, 3-2.

Washington was unable to muster the intensity needed after the soft goal that trickled though Varlamov.  It's both easy and hard to hang the loss on a goalie in a battle to lead his team into the playoffs.  To say that was a goal he wished he had back would be an understatement. 

But Varlamov had his moments in this one too, stopping a penalty shot and making a spectacular kick save to keep a 2-1 lead intact, until his lack of concentration did him -- and his teammates -- in.

Coach Bruce Boudreau didn't really address Varlamov's play in his post-game; rather, he was philosophical when asked about the soft goal.  "“I don’t want to get down on our goalies – they’ve been very good. They’re allowed to have a bad goal. We should be able to pick them up if that’s the case.”

But there was no one to pick up Varlamov Tuesday night.

Defenseman John Carlson was one of just a few Caps players that spoke to the media in a very somber dressing room after the game and spoke about the intensity of the game. 

"We [have] to be able to compete and beat any team that’s going to come hard because everyone is going to be fighting for their lives in the playoffs. I feel like at some points in the game we were just coasting a little bit instead of pushing the envelope and that’s what bit us in the end.”

Coming off a lengthy road trip -- one that was broken up by two home practices -- the Capitals should have had no problem with fatigue or motivation to play well for themselves and the home crowd.  But the sloppy, penalty-filled match was filled with turnovers and passes to open spaces, though the Caps had the advantage on shots and chances over the less-talented Hurricanes squad.

But just like in the playoffs, lesser teams can win when their intensity isn't matched by a higher seed.

"We're a little bit down in this room right now," Matt Hendricks explained.  "We really wanted to play our game against these guys and come home after a successful road trip.  To come up with only one point tonight, we're not too happy."

Do you think you let one get away?  "I think so," Hendricks replied frankly.  "We had our opportunities, didn't score on a few of them. But that's the way she goes."

Such was the case last night, in a game that should not have gone to overtime.

GOOD SASHA, BAD SASHA

Both in full force last night.  Alexander Semin scored a goal only he can, beating Canes goalie Cam Ward top shelf in a space of maybe four square inches between the goalie's head, shoulder and crossbar.  It was the only space Ward gave Semin and he took it.

However, Semin's first pass would have been his only pass of the night, often skating into traffic and coughing up the puck.

And the inevitable stick foul came in a tied game with 3:19 remaining.  And this one was a doozy.  Semin lost the puck in the offensive zone and immediately put his blade into the Canes player's gut.  He tried a second time around the center ice line, and finally was successful in hauling the Carolina player down at the Caps defensive blue line.

(C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

As Boudreau said post-game, "He was our best offensive player.  But at the same time, he did the same thing he's been doing for five years, taking a dumb penalty with four minutes to go in the game.  The refs didn't want to call any penalties [with time expiring], but they have to call that one.  It's a bad hook in the neutral zone."

As if Boudreau's words weren't clear enough, his actions spoke even louder.  Despite being his team's "best offensive player" in the game, and winning the "Player of the Game" on the broadcast for his goal and assist, Boudreau did not send Semin out for a shift in the overtime.

REINFORCEMENTS RETURN

Alex Ovechkin (three games) and Jason Arnott (six games) returned from the various injuries they have been fighting.  The rust was apparent, with Ovechkin taking 13 total shots, but hitting the net on just five of them, including missing the goal in his shootout attempt.  Ovechkin was also credited with five hits, and came to the aid of Dennis Wideman, who appeared to be injured after a collision with Canes forward Tuomo Ruutu.

Both players took 19 shifts, with Ovechkin playing 19:20 and Arnott 14:13. 

"Alex and Arnie haven't really practiced too much, I was a little worried about that," Boudreau said.  "I thought [Ovechkin's] timing was off a little bit on some things.  He had a lot of energy.  He had a lot of hits.  But you can tell sometimes the timing is off."

"Arnie plays a different kind of game than [Ovechkin].  He's way more in control than Alex is, so it's harder to tell.  I think he uses his experience a lot more."

WIDEMAN HURT

Wideman did not return after the collision with Ruutu and the team listed him day-to-day with a lower body injury after the game. There were no penalties called on the play Wideman was hurt on.

Wideman appeared to be leaning away from the check, and appeared to have twisted his trunk or knee as he fell back to avoid the high -- but absolutely legal -- check. 

Regardless, the defenseman laid on the ice in apparent pain and Ovechkin confronted Ruutu in front of the Hurricanes' bench, leading to a scuffle with all the skaters on the ice.  No penalties were called either on the contact or on the fracas that followed.

POWERLESS PLAY

The Capitals were 0-for-3 on the power play, once again looking ragged with the man advantage.  They managed just six shots on goal on the power play, and gave up several short-handed scoring chances, including taking a penalty on a breakaway that led to Varlamov's save on Chad LaRose's penaly shot attempt.

On the other side, the Caps killed five of the six power plays Carolina had, including the silly penalty by Semin with under four minutes in the game. 

“I think we obviously took too many penalties and that got momentum for them," center Marcus Johansson (goal--13) said.  "And I think for our penalty kills it was hard. We [have] to stay five guys on the ice as much as possible and not take those penalties, hooking and stuff where you don’t have to. That’s a big part of the game we have to be better at.”

"I thought we took stupid penalties," Boudreau said.

 PHOTOS (Click photo for larger image)

(C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

(C.Nichols/Caps News Network)



(C.Nichols/Caps News Network)



(C.Nichols/Caps News Network)

 

(C.Nichols/Caps News Network)



THE RESULT: After an emotionally draining game against a bitter rival and a two-day holiday layoff, the Washington Capitals got back to hockey Sunday night with a workmanlike 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Caps made it down to Raleigh, NC despite a snowstorm that dumped six-plus inches on the area, and 10,477 braved the weather for a division game.

The win gives the Caps 47 points (21-12-5) through 38 games, tied with Tampa Bay for first in the Southeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference behind Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Alex Ovechkin broke an eight-game goalless drought, and Mathieu Perreault and David Steckel both scored as well, sweeping Carolina at RBC Center for the this time since the 1997-98 season.

Perreault didn't finish the game, though.  At the end of the first period, Perreault was the victim of a devastating check by Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason.  Gleason hit Perreault high with an elbow and the diminutive center crumpled to the ice in a pool of blood.  Gleason was given a five-minute charging penalty and a game misconduct.

Reports after the game indicated that Perreault had at least suffered a broken nose, but more information might become available at practice tomorrow.

The Caps have taken points in four straight games, and have won three of four.  They continued their strong play on the penalty kill, killing all four minors assessed.

Ovechkin, who hadn't scored a goal since Dec. 6, broke his drought near the end of second period.  The winger pounded home a rebound of a Mike Green shot into a practically empty net.  He also assisted on David Steckel's goal earlier in the period leaving the puck in space for the center.

It was Ovechkin's first multi-point game since Nov. 26.

It was a solid road effort for the Caps, still trying to regain some of their swagger after the miserable losing streak.  They're not cruising yet, but they are getting there.

THE GOOD: Ovechkin.  This team needs their best player to play like it, and Ovechkin's goal and assist last night were important to the game and his well being.

THE BAD: Nicklas Backstrom.  Missed on five shots, including from inside the circles on an open net late in the game.  To compound his bad night, he won only four of his 12 draws.

THE UGLY: Gleason's hit on Perreault was ugly.  Gleason appeared to leave his feet on the hit and Perreault realy bore the brunt of it.  Here's the aftermath, courtesy of John Carlson's twitter account:

(Photo courtesy @JohnCarlson74)

THE STATS: Mathieu Perreault (5) from Alexander Semin (17) & Brooks Laich (16) at 13:33 of 1st.  David Steckel (4) from Alex Ovechkin (28) at 10:26 of 2nd.  Alex Ovechkin (13) from Mike Green (10) at 18:02 of 2nd.

NEXT GAME: Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 pm at Verizon Center.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. Semyon Varlamov.  33 saves on 35 shots.  Played within himself and didn't spend his time scrambling around in net.

2. Mike Green.  Another strong defensive games, with four blocks, including two of the bone-crushing variety.

1. Alex Ovechkin.  Goal. Assist. Eight shots on goal.  He did his job.

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.

Washington Capitals (5-3-0-10, 2nd SE) v. Carolina Hurricanes (4-3-0-8, 3rd SE)

7:00 pm  RBC Center, Raleigh, NC

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The Caps start a four-day, three-game road trip with the first game of a six-game season series with division rival Carolina tonight from Raleigh.  Surprisingly, it's Carolina's home opener, as the Hurricanes started the season with a pair of games in Helsinki, Finland, then returned to North America and went on a four-game road trip, with stops in Ottawa, Vancouver, San Jose and Los Angeles.

Carolina receives balanced scoring, with seven different players having tallied two or three goals in their seven games.  C Eric Stall paces the club with three goals and three assists.  RW Eric Cole is off to a good start as well, with four points and plus-6 rating.

Cam Ward is Carolina's undisputed No. 1 goalie.  He's played in six of the team's seven games, and is 4-2-0 with a 2.78 GAA and .923 save percentage.

The Capitals have had their difficulty making the trip to Carolina in recent memory, having lost nine of their last 12 games at the RBC Center.  They hope to get the road trip off to a good start tonight.

"It's going to be a tough trip, but everyone has them," Coach Bruce Boudreau said

One player they need to get going is LW Alex Ovechkin.  The captain has gone four games without a goal and three straight without a point.  The last time Ovechkin went four consecutive games without recording a point was Feb. 15-21, 2007.

The Great 8 has yet to score on the power play after doing so 13 times last season.

But Ovechkin insinuated himself into the play against Atlanta Saturday night, with a team leading nine hits, and his coach thinks it's just a matter of time. 

"His will come," Boudreau said after the OT win over the Thrashers.  "There's once a year, he goes through a stretch where he doesn't get any points, and he doesn't score any goals.  And then he goes 30 games out of 33 [with points].  And that's just the way he is.  But you can see he's getting a little closer, a little frustrated.  But he's getting a little closer."

Washington hopes that some of the walking wounded will return to action on the trip as well.  RW Matt Bradley and D Mike Green are both expected to fully play tonight after taking the morning skate, but C Boyd Gordon and John Carlson, who has skipped a couple practices with a lower body injury, are still questionable.  C Marcus Johansson did not skate this morning and will not play either.

Two players not on the trip are G Semyon Varlamov, struggling with a sore groin, and D Tom Poti, nursing an LBI as well.  Poti may join the team at some point on the trip, but Varlamov will not.

D Brian Fahey was called up from AHL Hershey to take Poti's place on the roster, and Braden Holtby will back up Michal Neuvirth, and possibly make his NHL debut sometime on the trip.

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LEADERS

WAS:  LW Alexander Semin (5-3-8, +4), LW Alex Ovechkin (4-4-8, -1), Michal Neuvirth (5-2-0, 2.53, .919)

CAR:  C Eric Staal (3-3-6, even), LW Jussi Jokinen (2-4-6, -3), Cam Ward (4-2-0, 2.78, .923)

INJURIES

WAS:  G Semyon Varlamov (groin-OUT), D Tom Poti (LBI-OUT), C Marcus Johansson (foot-OUT), C Boyd Gordon (undisclosed-QUE), D John Carlson (LBI-PROB)

CAR:  LW Jiri Tlusty (knee-QUE)

STATS

WAS:  GF/G: 2.88 (11th); GA/G: 2.62 (12th); PP: 12.1% (23rd); PK: 88.6% (7th)

CAR:  GF/G: 2.86 (13th); GA/G: 3.00 (T-20th); PP: 12.9% (21st); PK: 76.7 (25th)

In a back-and-forth firewagon affair, the Washington Capitals had the last laugh, as Tomas Fleischmann ended sudden death overtime with a one-timer past goalie Manny Legace to give the Caps a 4-3 victory over their division rivals, the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3, before another packed house at Verizon Center.

With less than two minutes remaining in overtime, newly acquired center Eric Belanger carried the puck into the offensive end calmly, and held the puck long enough to draw both defensemen. He then fed a streaking Fleischmann near the right wing face off dot, who fired a laser past the veteran Legace.

It was Fleischmann's 19 goal of the season, and give the Caps their 45th win of the campaign, and 99 points for the season, with 15 games to play.

Mike Green scored twice on the power play (16, 17), and Alexander Semin started the scoring with his 31st of the year, a nifty backhand after breaking in clean.

Jose Theodore was very strong in net, making 28 saves, including a first period penalty shot by Brandon Sutter, who was tripped form behind by Green on a turnover-induced breakaway while the Caps were on a power play.

As is typical of Caps-Canes games, this one was fast-paced and spirited. Coupled with four players changing sides at the trade deadline--all of whom were in the lineup--and perhaps there was a bit extra on the line tonight.

Scott Walker and Joe Corvo suited up against recent former teammates for the Capitals, while Brain Pothier and AHL Hershey star Oskar Osala, who was called up today as an injury replacement, faced their old team for the first time since being traded at the NHL trade deadline Mar. 3.

For the second game in a row, the Caps held a lead of 2-0 before eventually being tied and forced to overtime. Unlike Monday, when Dallas held in OT and won on penalty shots, the Caps ended things in the extra frame.

The Caps host another division rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Friday at 7:00 pm.

Despite allowing the tying goal midway through the third period, the Washington Capitals (43-21-6-92, first in Southeast) defeated the next closest team to them in the division, the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-4 in a shootout.

Alex Ovechkin potted the shootout winner on the Caps third attempt, clinching the two-nil shootout win. Alexander Semin capped his big night (goal, three assists) with an earlier shootout goal on Carolina goalie Cam Ward.

Ward and Caps goalie Jose Theodore both made several spectacular saves throughout the heavy-hitting contest, but both also allowed a couple of goals they will tell you they should have stopped. Theodore saved 25 of 29 shots and Ward made 22 saves.

Carolina really came out hitting in the first period, especially forechecking against the Capitals defense. Washington responded fairly well, as they took a 2-1 lead in the first on goals by Mike Green and Ovechkin. Ovie's goal was on the power play, and his 49th of the season.

The second period was a wild affair, with breakaways aplenty, a ton of penalties and four goals, two by each team.

Alexander Semin notched his 29th of the season, sweeping a rebound of an Ovechkin shot past Ward, and Niklas Backstrom banged home his 19th on a beautiful pass by Michael Nylander, who drew both defenders out of the middle of the ice on a power play.

The third period exposed Washington's recurring problems clearing the puck out of their own defensive zone. One such escapade led directly to Niclas Wallin clanking a shot off the inside of the post for the equalizer.

Carolina also received goals from Erik Cole, Eric Staal and Ray Whitney.

Overtime saw the Caps play their best defense of the night though, as they spent two minutes of the extra frame killing off a hooking penalty on defenseman Tom Poti, who was whistled for three minor infractions on the evening.

Coach Bruce Boudreau was happy for the win, but not particularly happy with his team's defensive effort. "If he [Theodore] wasn't at the top of his game they would have had six or seven easy. Easy. I mean, they had four breakaways in the second period again."

"Once it started getting to that firewagon hockey, we've got guys that like to go. And they didn't think too much about defense."

Thankfully for the Caps, they put enough up on the board tonight to keep their defense from ruining the fun for a lively Saturday night crowd. But the scoresheet tells the story: Semin and Green were on the ice for all eight goals scored in regulation, and Ovechkin and Backstrom seven of the eight.

Boudreau stressed to the media what he wants his best players to hear, "It was like pond hockey, and in the playoffs, you have to play much more structured," he said.

The Capitals now head out on a five-game road trip, starting in Florida Tuesday night.

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SCORESHEET

1ST PERIOD
09:53 Erik Cole (18), Slap Shot. Assist: Staal
10:59 Mike Green (24), Wrist Shot. Assist: Semin, Backstrom
18:01 Power Play - Alex Ovechkin (49), Wrist Shot. Assist: Green, Semin

2ND PERIOD
01:30 Power Play - Alexander Semin (29), Wrist Shot. Assist: Laich, Ovechkin
05:57 Eric Staal (33), Wrist Shot. Assist: Whitney, Seidenberg
12:27 Power Play - Nicklas Backstrom (19), Wrist Shot. Assist: Nylander, Semin
19:52 Ray Whitney (23), Wrist Shot. Assist: Cole, Staal

3RD PERIOD
10:47 Niclas Wallin (2), Slap Shot. Assist: Seidenberg, Cullen

OT
None

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THREE STARS

1. A. Semin - WAS (Goals: 1, Assists: 3)

2. E. Cole - CAR (Goals: 1, Assists: 1)

3. N. Backstrom - WAS (Goals: 1, Assists: 1)

________________________________________________

NOTES

Sergei Fedorov (illness) and Donald Brashear (knee) were scratched. Green ended a seven game goal drought. Ovechkin pushed his scoring streak to 10 games (7 goals, 7 assists) and Semin extended his scoring streak to nine games (7 goals, 9 assists).

The Washington Capitals (42-21-6-90, first in Southeast, third in East) host the Carolina Hurricanes (36-28-6-78, second in Southeast, T-7 in East) at 7:00 pm from Verizon Center.

The Capitals bring a two-game winning streak into the contest, winning tight road games against Nashville and Philadelphia this week. The Caps will try to break a four-game home losing streak tonight before heading out on a five-game road trip.

Carolina has dropped their last two games, both on the road, to Chicago and Dallas. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games overall.

The season series is split at two games apiece with two games remaining. The Caps won the first two matchups and Carolina returned the favor in the next two, most recently a March 3 beatdown, 5-2, at Verizon Center.

Washington will be without enforcer Donald Brashear, who injured his knee in a fight in the Nashville game. Sergei Fedorov is questionable with an undisclosed illness.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-2nd (24.3%, 69/284); PK-21st (79.9%, 67/334)

CAR: PP-20th (17.0%, 55/323); PK-18th (80.5%, 51/261)

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INJURIES

WAS: D (Brian Pothier (Concussion-IR); G Brent Johnson (Hip-IR); RW Chris Clark (Wrist-IR); LW Donald Brashear (Knee-Questionable); C Sergei Fedorov (Illness-Questionable)

CAR: D David Tanabe (Concussion-Out); D Joni Pitkanen (Lower body-Questionable)

The Washington Capitals (40-20-5-85, first in Southeast) played a second straight game full of defensive indifference, sloppy passing and shoddy goaltending in falling to the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 before 17,903 at Verizon Center last night. The non-capacity crowd halts the Caps' home sellout streak at 11 games.

The Capitals have lost four of their last six at home, all in convincing style.

Indicative of just how bad a night it was for the Capitals, Carolina's first three goals were a penalty shot and two short-handed markers. Patrick Eaves, who had scored three goals in 57 previous games, had a pair for Carolina, including one of the shorties.

The only highlight of the evening for Caps fans was Alexander Semin's 26th goal of the season and 100th of his career, scored from his knees in the left wing faceoff circle at the end of the second period, after the score was already 5-0.

Courtesy of Caps365

The Caps got another goal from Sergei Fedorov toward the end of the third period, but even that goal was marred. After scoring, several teammates came over to congratulate Fedorov and the pile took a tumble to the ice. Coach Bruce Boudreau was not happy at the possibility of perceived overexuberance.

"That was pretty embarrassing," Washington's coach said. "I'm sure if I was on the Carolina bench, I'd be going: 'Look at these idiots.' "

Boudreau's comments after the game were not limited to just the goal celebration.

"There are a lot of individuals making a lot of mistakes," Boudreau said. "And short of sitting them out -- I don't know if we're at the stage yet -- it's bringing them in, showing them, talking to them in front of the [other] players. When you try to do it individually, good things don't happen. Teams win games. Teams win championships. Individuals don't."

Forward Brooks Laich, who is sounding more and more like captain material every day, agreed with his coach.

"They just outworked us," he said. "I don't care what you say about talent and everything, this game is about heart. The team that works the hardest is usually the team that's going to win. Tonight, they wanted it more and that's not easy to sit here and say."

Rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth was shaky as well, allowing five goals on 30 shots, and appeared overmatched at times.

Washington outshot Carolina 41-30.

TRADE DEADLINE TODAY

Today is the NHL trade deadline, and while GM George McPhee has gone on records saying the team would probably not do anything "big", he said as much last season before pulling deadline deals for Fedorov and goalie Cristobal Huet.

Much of the season, Michael Nylander's name has been mentioned in trade rumors, and the fact that the veteran pivot has been a healthy scratch for four straight games adds fuel to the speculation.

Additionally, defenseman Tom Poti was pulled from the lineup last night at the last minute, raising questions about his future. The team said Poti was suffering from a tweak of the groin injury that shelved him earlier in the season, but last night was the first that the injury had been mentioned.

The Caps should be in the market for a stay-at-home defenseman, a veteran backup goaltender, and maybe a gritty forward.

The Washington Capitals (40-19-5-85, first in Southeast, T-2 in East) host the Carolina Hurricanes (32-27-5-69, third in Southeast, T-9 in East) at 7:00 p.m. from Verizon Center

The Caps are reeling a little bit lately despite playing six of their last seven games at home. They are 4-3 over that stretch, having dropped to Colorado, Philadelphia and, most recently, Florida at Verizon Center, where they had built the Eastern Conference's best home record of 25-7-1.

Washington did not look like a team battling for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday. Rather, in the 6-2 loss to Florida, all their faults were illustrated and magnified.

Too many minor penalties, leading to three power play goals against in the first period alone. Defensive indifference, to the point of putting 39 year old center Sergei Fedorov on defense in the third period. Shaky goaltending by starter Jose Theodore, allowing four goals on 17 shots in the first period before being lifted for backup Michal Neuvirth.

But perhaps worst of all was the general malaise the team found itself in, despite scoring the first goal of the game less than two minutes into it. It was the classic "mailing it in" game. And really, using the second night of a back-to-back excuse was void, since at least Washington was in its own building. Florida was playing a back-to-back, all on the road, and cane out with more energy and passion than the home team did.

Coach Bruce Boudreau didn't have the answers in the postgame press conference. "We got beat to every loose puck. It seemed like they had the puck in the power play for the whole two minutes in our zone every time," Boudreau said. "I can't sugarcoat it and I can't find excuses for it. We weren't very good."

The Hurricanes look to rebound from a very disappointing loss themselves.

Carolina (32-27-5) appeared on the way to its fifth win in six games with a two-goal lead midway through the third period Saturday night at Atlanta - the league's worst home team. The Thrashers, however, stunned the Hurricanes by scoring four straight goals en route to a 5-3 victory.

A win over Atlanta would have put Carolina in the top eight of the conference, but they still find themselves one point behind Pittsburgh for that final playoff spot.

Carolina is led by Ray Whitney (18-33-51, minus-10), Eric Staal (27-22-49, minus-1) and Tuomo Ruutu (17-22-39, minus-5). Cam Ward is their starting goalie, and he is 26-21-5 in 51 games with a 2.58 goals against and .909 save percentage.

The Caps expect to welcome back RW Viktor Kozlov after missing Sunday's game nursing his lingering groin injury. Additionally, Staffan Kronwall will be in the lineup as well, leaving Michael Nylander and John Erskine as the healthy scratches. Theodore is scheduled to start between the pipes.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching on Wednesday, Nylander may find himself part of that mix, as he's now been scratched for four consecutive games, including the loss Sunday when Jay Beagle was called up from AHL Hershey to replace Kozlov on the active roster.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-2nd (24.7%, 66-267); PK-22nd (79.4%, 65-315)
CAR: PP-25th (15.8%, 46/292); PK-25th (79.2%, 49-236)
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INJURIES

WAS: RW Viktor Kozlov (Groin-Probable); G Brent Johnson (Hip-IR); RW Chris Clark (Wrist-IR); D Brian Pothier (Concussion-IR)
CAR: LW Jussi Jokinen (Personal-Doubtful); D David Tanabe (Concussion-Out); RW Scott Walker (Concussion-IR); RW Justin Williams (Hand-IR)

A less-than-inspired Washington Capitals team, playing twice in less than 24 hours on the road, fell 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on a pair of even-strength late third period goals by the hosts.

Washington (15-10-3-33, first place in Southeast) out shot Carolina (13-12-3-29, second place in Southeast) 39-25, but Hurricanes goalie Michael Leighton was up to the task. with 1.2 seconds remaining in the second period, he stoned Alex Ovechkin on a penalty shot, providing plenty of momentum heading into the intermission. Ovechkin is now 0-for-5 lifetime in penalty shots.

The only shot Leighton allowed to get past him was a rifle one-timer by Niklas Backstrom on a power play at 8:28 of the third period. The game tying goal was Backstrom's eighth of the season. The tie would be short-lived.

Seven minutes after Backstrom's goal, Hurricane center Eric Staal broke the deadlock as he dug the puck out from behind the Caps net and stuck it short side to beat a slow Jose Theodore. Theodore did not look particularly sharp all night and allowed the clincher with a little over two minutes to play as Ray Whitney netted his second of the game.

The Caps missed a chance to open an eight-point lead in the division and left the Tar Heel state clinging to a four-point advantage in early December. Coach Bruce Boudreau stated after the game that he's frustrated by the lack of intensity on a consistent basis.

Washington is off until Wednesday when they host the Boston Bruins at 7:00 p.m. from the Verizon Center.

Ovechkin stoned by Carolina's Michael Leighton. (Photo by AP)
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SCORESHEET

WAS: Backstrom (8) from Ovechkin and Theodore (3-8:28)
CAR: Whitney (8) from Pitkanen and Brind'Amour (1-13:18); Staal (9) from Samsonov (3-15:51); Whitney (9) from Eaves and Conboy (17:58)
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THREE STARS

1. E. Staal - CAR (Goals: 1, Assists: 0)
2. R. Whitney - CAR (Goals: 2, Assists: 0)
3. M. Leighton - CAR (Saves: 38, Save Pct: .974)

The Washington Capitals (14-9-3-31, first in Southeast) have a pair of games this weekend against Eastern Conference foes. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. from Air Canada Centre in Toronto the Caps face a Maple Leafs (9-11-6-24, fourth in Northeast) team still searching for its identity. Sunday, the Caps travel to Dixie to face Southeast Division rival Carolina Hurricanes (12-12-2-26, second in Southeast) from RBC Center at 5:00 p.m..

Washington's story over the last couple of weeks is well documented and nothing will change that status over the weekend. The team is still missing seven of its regulars due to injury, and while several are making progress toward returning to the ice, none are really ready.

The Caps got more injury news yesterday, as D Tyler Sloan was limping noticeably after taking a shot off his ankle in Thursday's win against New York. The team recalled D Sean Collins from Hershey and he is expected to make his NHL debut tonight. Collins, 25, went 0-4-4 with 10 PIM in 13 games with Hershey this season.

Collins will be the eleventh defenseman used by Washington this season.

Coach Bruce Boudreau will not use injuries as an excuse, and after calling his players out after a lopsided and boring loss against Florida Tuesday, the team responded with a complete game 5-2 victory over the Islanders. This two-game road trip should test their new-found resolve.

Toronto has been a team in turmoil this season so far. They've already turned their front office upside down and recently brought in long-time GM Brian Burke to attempt to lead them back to prominence. Along with the turnover comes the swirling Mats Sundin rumors.

The 37-year old all-star is without a contract and deciding if he wishes to return to the NHL, leaving the faithful Maple Leaf followers confused and frustrated that their team and 13-year centerman can't work something out.

On the ice has been as much as a struggle as the front office. The team is getting outscored nightly and has been attacked in the Toronto press. Goalies Vesa Toskala (-8-8. 3.24, .883) and Curtis Joseph (0-3-2, 3.95, .851) have been inconsistent and left mostly to fend for themselves.

Up front, the Leafs are paced by Mikhail Grabovski (10-8-18, -2), Matt Stajan (7-14-21, -5) and Nik Antropov (9-10-19, -2).

Players currently missing from coach Ron Wilson's lineup include D Mike Van Ryn (Head-IR); D Jonas Frogren (Arm-IR) and C Jamal Mayers (Hand-Out).

Carolina uses a team attack, as none of their skaters has more than nine goals, but six have at least seven goals to his credit. Tuomo Ruutu leads the way with nine (9-6-15, -1), while Eric Staal (8-7-15, +8) is their only leading scorer with a positive plus/minus rating.

Their number one goalie is Cam Ward. He is 8-7-3, 2.68, .911 in 18 games, however, is out with a groin injury. The backup is Michael Leighton (4-6-0, 3.22, .887).

Carolina's injury sheet lists several key players: D David Tanabe (Concussion-Out); D Tim Gleason (Lower-body-IR); D Frantisek Kaberle (Lower body-Questionable); D Dennis Seidenberg (Leg-IR); RW Scott Walker (Lower body-Questionable); G Cam Ward (Groin-Out)

The Washington Capitals dominated their Southeast Division rival Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 in every facet of the game, finally putting together another "60 minute game" as Caps' coach Bruce Boudreau is often fond of saying. League leading scorer Alexander Semin had a five point night (two goals, three assists), and the line of Semin, Ovechkin, and Backstrom were on the ice for all five goals.

The Caps (9-4-2-20) pushed past the Hurricanes for first place in the division, now leading the Southeast by two points.

The trio was unstoppable, as Ovechkin had a goal and two assists and center Nicklas Backstrom netted his first goal of the season and added three helpers in his breakout game.

There was a negative, however, with all the offensive fireworks. Goalie Brent Johnson, last week's number three star of the week in the NHL, left after the first period with a hip injury. He injured his hip making a stop in the final seconds of the period killing off a Carolina 5-on-3 power play. Jose Theodore, acquired in the off-season as a free agent only to have a poor early season showing, came in after the injury and stopped all 13 shots he faced.

After the game, Johnson indicated that he didn't think the injury was too bad. "It felt pretty bad out there, but it's tough to tell right now," Johnson said. "It's pretty sore. I felt a lot of pain. We'll see how it feels tomorrow, but it's not looking like it will be a long time."

Washington got on the scoresheet early in the first, with Alex Ovechkin notching his fourth goal of the season on a feed from Semin. Semin stole a crossing pass and he and Ovechkin came in clean on a two-on-one, with Ovie burying the puck past 'Canes backup goalie Michael Leighton.

Five minutes later, Semin scored his first of two in the game. Backstrom won an offensive draw, Mike Green shot wide, but the puck came off the back boards almost like it was planned and Semin knocked it into an open net. Later in the period, Semin found Green for a big slap shot from the point, with Brooks Laich camping in the slot screening Leighton. The power play marker was Green's sixth of the season.

Semin tallied again in the second period. Carolina could not clear its zone, with Ovechkin and Backstrom teaming to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Ovechkin then found his countryman in the opposite face-off circle, who one-timed it past the beleaguered goalie.

Backstrom finally put the "biscuit in the basket" as he corralled a rebound of an Ovechkin shot and slid it past Leighton, capping the scoring. The trio accounted for nine shots on goal and each were +4 on the night.

Washington, on a four-game winning streak, has a home-and-home with the New Jersey Devils this weekend. They play Friday at Verizon Center at 7:00 PM and Saturday at 7:00 PM from the Prudential Center.

QUICK PROGRAMMING NOTE: I will be on vacation Nov. 13-23. Staff photographer and fellow season ticket holder (and my wife) Cheryl Nichols will be providing previews and reviews in my absence. Hopefully she'll give me my job back when I return. On to the preview...

The Washington Capitals (8-4-2-18, tied for first in Southeast Division) travel to Carolina for an early season first place showdown with the Hurricanes (8-5-2-18, tied for first in Southeast Division) at 7:00 PM from the RBC Center.

The Caps enter tonight's match-up on a three-game win streak and have points in their last four games. Most recently, they jumped all over the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night, scoring on their first two shots on goal against long-time Caps great Olie Kolzig en route to a 4-2 victory.

Goalie Brent Johnson, voted as the number three star of the week for his performances last week, has stopped 102 of 107 shots against since taking over playing time from Jose Theodore, coinciding with the Caps recent stretch of good play. Coach Bruce Boudreau has been quick to push aside talk of goaltending controversy, but the numbers of the two netminders speak for themselves.

Johnson will indeed make his fifth straight start for the Caps, while Boudreau hopes to get Theodore sharp over the weekend and ready for the long road trip.

Offensively, the team is paced, as it has been all season, by Alexander Semin. His 22 points (on 11 goals and 11 assists) and +13 rating place him second in scoring and atop the plus/minus standings in the NHL. His linemate, Alex Ovechkin, had a goal and assist against Tampa Bay, and seems to be finding his legs and some open ice skating with Semin and center Nicklas Backstrom, who took over for Sergei Federov when he was injured.

The team will be without Federov and defenseman Shaone Morrisonn as neither travelled with the team. Viktor Kozlov will return however, bolstering the Capitals attack, and should skate with C Michael Nylander and LW Tomas Fleischmann.

Carolina has a balanced attack, with six players with four or more goals. They have been struggling with injuries, but plan on getting Matt Cullen, Brandon Sutter and Joni Pitkanen back for tonight's game.

Michael Leighton is scheduled to start in goal tonight for Carolina. The 27-year old goaltender is 4-1 with a .921 save percentage and 2.37 goals against average this season and has never faced the Capitals in his career. It will be Leighton's second start in three games in place of No. 1 goalie Cam Ward, who's 4-4-2 with a 2.86 goals against and .910 save percentage.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-24th (14.8%, 9-61); PK-19th (80.0%, 15/75)
CAR: PP-21st (15.9%, 11/69); PK-14th (81.5%, 12/65)
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WHO'S HOT

WAS: LW Alexander Semin (11-11-22, +13); G Brent Johnson (NHL 3RD STAR OF THE WEEK; 4-1-2, 2.11, .931)
CAR: C Eric Staal (5-4-9, +5); RW Tuomo Ruutu (5-5-10, +2)

WHO'S NOT

WAS: RW Matt Bradley (1-0-1, -1); Milan Jurcina (1-0-1, -3)
CAR: C Rob Brind'Amour (league worst -13)
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INJURIES

WAS: D Brian Pothier (concussion-OUT); D Shaone Morrisonn (groin-DTD/OUT); C/D Sergei Federov (undisclosed-DTD/OUT)
CAR: D Frantisek Kaberle (leg,-OUT); D David Tanabe (concussion-OUT); RW Patrick Eaves (undisclosed-OUT); RW Justin Willimas (achilles-OUT)

Washington -- Washington Capitals LW Alexander Semin scored twice in the third period, including the game-winner with 11 seconds remaining in the game, to lead the Caps past their division rival Carolina Hurricanes 3-2, pulling to within two points of the division lead in the process.

Semin's ninth and tenth goals of the season could not have come at a better time, as Washington entered the final period down 2-1, playing with more determination but similar results as 2-1 losses on the road the last two weeks to Ottawa, Phoenix and Calgary.

Coach Bruce Boudreau decided after practice yesterday to put three of his four Russian forwards together on a line for tonight's game, and the move paid off in spades. Semin teamed with his Russian National Team teammates Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Federov on the first line, and Semin responded -- as he has all year -- with two goals. Federov notched his fourth goal in the second period, and Ovechkin, playing just his second game since returning to the team after visiting his ailing grandfather in Russia, assisted on all three of the Capitals goals.

Ovechkin was happy that the group was able to spur the team to succeed. "Our line today played, I think, excellent. We controlled the puck, we find the shooter and we had great chances to score goals, especially in third period. Everybody enjoyed it, everybody see it's time to wake up, time to win the game."

The win was marred slightly with news of two injuries to key components of the Caps engine. D Shaone Morrisonn left the game in the second period with a "lower body injury", suspected to be a groin injury, and C/F Sergei Federov left late in the third period with an undisclosed injury. Coach Bruce Boudreau had no details on either injury in his post-game press conference.

Forward Brooks Laich also took a heavy hit blocking a shot in the second period with his leg, and had trouble removing himself from the ice. Laich, limping heavily, managed to break up a D-to-D pass, knocking the puck out of the offensive zone on his way off the ice, essentially on one leg. Boudreau described the act as one word: "Character." He would return in in the third period.

Goalie Brent Johnson, making his second consecutive start in place of free agent G Jose Theodore, played terrifically behind his teammates, making several spectacular saves, none better than a toe save while the Caps were killing a five-on-three power play in the third period. Johnson stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced, to go along with the 40 saves he had in Ottawa Tuesday night, the game that "earned" him this start, according to Coach Boudreau.

Boudreau complemented his penalty killers after the game, especially noting the performance down two men. "The last couple games we've done a really good job at it. Different guys are on there doing it, and you're getting big saves there from the goaltender which is always the number one ingredient when you're killing a penalty is to have your goalie be your best penalty killer, and he was on both of the five-on-three occasions."

Carolina received goals from Scott Walker, his first of the season, and Tuomo Ruutu, his fifth. The Hurricanes also had a health scare, as team captain Rod Brind'Amour was whacked in the face by Semin on his follow-through on the game-winner, sending the veteran sprawling -- and spewing blood profusely as he left the ice. There was no word, as of this writing, on the extent of his injury.

Photos (c) C. Nichols 2008.
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SCORESHEET

WAS: Federov (4) from Ovechkin and Schultz (2-3:05); Semin (9) from Ovechkin and Poti (3-17:17); Semin (10) from Ovechkin and Green

CAR: Walker (1) from Melichar and Babchuk; Ruutu (5) from Corvo

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THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY

GOOD: Brent Johnson. Johnny was extremely sharp again tonight, and it would not be surprising to see him between the pipes for Saturday night's tilt with the Blueshirts. The Russian Sniper Line was great too. They all skated very well, especially in the third period when they got the equalizer and game winner.

BAD: John Erskine. He was the worst player on the ice tonight. He screened Johnson on the second goal, continues to turn the puck over in his defensive and, and cannot seem to clear the puck off the boards when his team needs him to.

UGLY: The injuries. Losing Morrisonn would be a crippler, and would require a call-up. If Feds is hurt too, there goes your insurance policy. I guess we'll have to see tomorrow how bad it all really is.

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NEXT GAME: Washington faces the New York Rangers Saturday night at Verizon Center at 7:00 pm. The Rangers defeated Tampa Bay 5-2 tonight, and are owners of the league's best record at 11-4-1.

RECORD: 6-4-2-14, second in Southeast Division, two points behind Carolina. One-game winning streak.

NOTES: Morrisonn played in his 300th career NHL game before leaving with the injury.

All five goals were at even strength. The Caps were 0-for-4 on the power play and and killed three penalties successfully, including a five-on-three.

Donald Brashear mixed it up with Wade Brookbank near the end of the first period, easiley getting the best of him in a one-sided affair.

The Washington Capitals (5-4-2) return home from a one-point, two game road trip to face the Southeast Division leading Carolina Hurricanes (7-3-2-16) at the Verizon Center tonight at 7:00 pm.

Washington enters play tonight second in the division behind Carolina, due in part to dropping their last two contests, to Buffalo and Ottawa, on the road. The team was dramatically outplayed and out skated last Saturday in Buffalo, getting shut out 5-0 by Ryan Miller and the Sabres. The intensity definitely picked up Tuesday in Ottawa, but the Caps fell with less than 40 seconds in overtime as a defensive breakdown allowed Dany Heatley to beat G Brent Johnson cleanly to his stick side.

Coach Bruce Boudreau really put his team through the paces in a couple of practices between the two games, trying to instill the mentality necessary to play a complete 60-minute hockey game, an accomplishment rarely achieved for these Capitals this season. Even though the level of play picked up in Ottawa, the Caps still drew five penalties -- including three hooking calls -- to only claiming one.

Washington is third in the league in most penalty kill attempts.

LW Alex Ovechkin returned to the team for the game against the Senators after missing the previous two to be with his ailing grandfather in Russia. He was held pointless, and Coach Boudreau remarked that Ovechkin looked "tired" in the third period. This will be his first home game since returning to the lineup, and the faithful at Verizon Center are sure to receive him warmly.

Brent Johnson, off his stellar 42 save performance at Ottawa, will start in goal for the Caps. He is 1-1-2, with a 2.47 GAA and .914 S% for the season.

Coach Peter Laviolette's Carolina squad comes in to this one banged up with injury, but having won their last two games, both against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They won Sunday 6-4 and Tuesday 5-4 in overtime. The Hurricanes are paced on offense by LWs Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu and centers Eric Staal an Rod Brind'Amour Though veteran Brind'Amour is a team low -10 for the season, he has four goals and four assists.

Cam Ward is the Hurricane starting goalie. He's 4-2-2 so far with a 2.58 GAA and .922 S%. His backup is Michael Leighton (3-1-0, 2.70, .915).
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-20th (15.7%, 8/51), PK-15th (81.5%, 12/65)

CAR: PP-17th (17.2%, 10/58), PK-20th (79.6%, 11/54)
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WHO'S HOT

WAS: LW Alexander Semin (8-9-17, +7), RW Tomas Fleischmann (tied for second on team with four goals)

CAR: LW Ray Whitney (3-8-11, -5), C Eric Staal (5-4-9, +3)

WHO'S NOT

WAS: RW Matt Bradley (1-0-1, -3), RW Chris Clark (0-1-1, -1)

CAR: RW Patrick Eaves (0-2-2, +1), LW Sergei Samsonov (0-2-2, -5) __________________________________________________________
INJURIES

WAS: D Brian Pothier (concussion-OUT)

CAR: D Frantisek Kaberle (leg-IR), D David Tanabe (concussion-OUT), C Brandon Sutter (concussion-OUT), D Joni Pitkanen (knee-OUT), RW Justin WIlliams (achilles-OUT), C Matt Cullen (leg-QUE)