Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau went on record this morning after today's very optional practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex that Marc Staal's hit on Mike Green -- just before Alex Ovechkin's goal late in the second period of Sunday's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers -- was a dirty hit and targeted Green's head, only three games returned from a lengthy absence due to concussion symptoms from another elbow blow, that one from Rangers rookie forward Derek Stepan.

Here's what the coach had to say about it: 

“It was to the side of the head and it was a dirty shot. I hope the league looks at it.  Let’s face it, I’m listening to all the experts last night on the [Raffi] Torres hit on [Brent] Seabrook, they’re all saying there’s no puck. It’s not a hockey play. The guy’s in a vulnerable position and he hits the head. That’s exactly what we’re trying to get out of the league.

And Staal comes in, there’s no puck, he takes his arm, he swings it at [Green’s] head, but it’s all forgotten because we score a goal to tie the game up. But it shouldn’t be forgotten and it wasn’t the only time they targeted Mike’s head.  They targeted it a few times. That’s what we want to get out of the game.”

There's a lot of rhetoric from coaches during the playoffs.  Boudreau's comments earlier this morning about MSG not being as loud as Verizon Center and being dilapidated probably deserved to be filed under that category.

But re-watch the video of Ovechkin's goal. 

First, Ovechkin is clearly and deliberately tripped around the blue line and a very clear expletive is captured. 

But at the 0:10 mark, Green distributed the puck, then Staal clearly hits Green in the head with his elbow.  Green seemed to sense the hit was coming but was unable to avoid the collision.  Green got up to join the goal celebration, but Boudreau is right in one thing: these are the hits the league needs to legislate out of the game.

Maybe Staal wasn't targeting Green's head on the hit and that's just where his elbow ended up.  But it sure looks to me like Staal purposefully stuck his elbow out to strike Green in the head.  You can hear Doc Emrick say "He's hurt," referring to Green, as Ovechkin beats Henrik Lundqvist for the goal.

Considering Green got up and continued to play in the game, if there's even a review of the play I'd be shocked of there was any punishment for this play.  But considering Green missed a quarter of the season with a head injury and a player on the Rangers -- the same team that caused the injury in the first place -- targeted his head in just Green's third game back, a review is completely warranted.

It's exactly plays like these that the league made a very public display of apparent serious concern about earlier this season.  Until these plays are treated the same way plays in which the player sustains injury are, consider the NHL's policy nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell.

Regardless of the league's review of this play, the Caps need to take matters into their own hands. 

The Rangers had the better of the physical play Sunday all around, including instigating contact on goalie Michal Neuvirth anytime they had the chance, with no repercussions whatsoever.  Sure, the refs "warned" the Rangers to avoid contacting the goalie, but there were no calls.  Why stop if there's no penalty for doing it?

If the referees aren't going to penalize the Rangers for these plays, then someone on the Caps needs to step up and protect his goalie, but do it smartly.  I'm not calling for vigilante justice for a Caps player to injure someone on the Rangers.  But you gotta fight fire with fire, and Lundqvist needs to be bumped once or twice early on Wednesday, just to let him know that Caps are there.

And Mike Green better keep his head up.  Because like I said, if there's no penalty, they aren't going to stop.

The Washington Capitals have decided to shelve Alex Ovechkin, their captain and leading scorer, for 7-to-10 days to rest an unidentified upper body ailment.  Ovechkin joins the ranks of Mike Green, Eric Fehr, Jason Arnott, Tom Poti and John Erskine -- stalwarts all -- on the Caps injury list.

It's no secret Ovechkin has nursed a wrist/hand injury all season long.  Back in early January, the Great Eight received a cortisone shot for the injury and continued to play, never missing a game, though coach Bruce Boudreau indicated that Ovechkin had been playing with discomfort "for a while" leading up to the cortisone treatment.

It's unknown if that particular malady is affecting Ovechkin again, or if the Capitals simply saw a chance with the quirks in the schedule to get their best player a week off to heal up the bumps and bruises and get his legs fresh for the upcoming playoffs.  The Caps haven't played since Friday night's 3-0 win over New Jersey, and don't play again after today until this upcoming Friday against Ottawa.

In fact, Caps Media Relations wizard Sergey Kocharov indicated as much on Twitter yesterday afternoon.

Ovechkin to miss 7-10 days to heal up from a minor nagging injury. With 1 game in 6 days made sense for this to happen at this point.

It's disappointing that Ovechkin will miss the big game with the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, considering the Flyers hold a two-point advantage in the Eastern Conference and the fact the Caps can clinch their playoff spot.

But as with Arnott, the Caps feel it's better to get these players healthy than continue to run them out there with nagging injuries when their playoff spot, and perhaps No. 2 seed, all but assured at this point barring monumental collapse.

"The worst home loss I've been associated with." Coach Bruce Boudreau.

THE RESULT:  Just as in their last meeting between these two teams, the New York Rangers dominated the Washington Capitals in all facets of the game and handed the home team its worst loss in its own building since November of 2006, a 6-0 shutout that wasn't even as close as the score.

The Caps essentially gave up on this game just moments before the Rangers first tally at 5:45 of the first period.

The Rangers had control of the puck and were cycling effectively against the Mike Green/John Erskine pairing, and a forward line of Brooks Laich, Mathieu Perreault and Boyd Gordon.  The puck came behind the net and Green clearly cross-checked Derek Stepan and the Rangers rookie went into the boards helmet first.

Green dug the puck out to Gordon, but Gordon was unable to clear and the Rangers defensemen fed the puck back into the same corner where Green went to retrieve, rather timidly, I might add.  Stepan, angry from the cross-check and probably frustrated with the no-call, checked Green high and hit Green with a shoulder or elbow.

You can watch the play here.

Green went down in a pile and was very slow to get up.  At that point, with the Caps down a man, the Rangers collected the puck and fed a wide open Steve Eminger at the far point, who sent a blast that ricocheted off Brooks Laich and past Michal Neuvirth for the only goal the Rangers would need.

Green left the game and did not return. The team has listed him as "day-to-day" at this point pending further evaluation and he will not accompany the team to Long island for the game with the Islanders Saturday. Green was making his return after missing the road trip battling "inner ear trauma" stemming from taking a puck to the side of the head against Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

He managed to last just 5:45 into the first period.

If you watched the video, pause it at the 23 second mark, right after the goal and look at the reaction the five Caps players in the frame had. It's all you need to know about how the rest of the game went.

The Capitals were already defeated.  I won't bore you with descriptions of the rest of New York's goals.

"Our fans deserve better," a subdued coach Bruce Boudreau said in his press conference.  "We deserve to get booed. It’s not fun when you come home and you’ve got the best fans in the world and you play like that."

"It’s just not acceptable and it’s embarrassing."

But it's all too common-place now for this team.

It's almost impossible to fathom, but the Caps have lost their last three games at Verizon Center by a combined score of 12-1.  Boudreau's right about it being embarrassing.

And with just 20 games left in the regular season, can anything be done about it?

The team pulled six points from a long five-game road trip, came home to two days off, and then went out and laid a stinker like that last night at home?  There are no excuses for the level of effort and energy exhibited by the vast majority of players wearing a red sweater last night.

With the trade deadline approaching on Monday, it's impossible to guess what GM George McPhee might do.  But you can be sure that he was not pleased with the performance of the players that are currently on the roster.

He'd be just one of many at this point.

NEXT GAME:  Saturday against the New York Islanders from Nassau County Coloseum at 7:00 pm.

CAPS NEWS NETWORK THREE STARS

3. John Erskine.  Five hits and only on the ice for the goal where Green got hurt.

2. Scott Hannan.  He's an anchor for the Caps on the blue line.  Second most minutes and was on the ice for just one of the four even strength goals for New York.

1. Alex Ovechkin.  Eight shots on goal, another nine blocked or missed.  Six hits.  Was really involved in this game.

CAPS NOTES:  John Carlson and Karl Alzner did not distinguish themselves last night.  Carlson was minus-3 and Alzner minus-2.

Speaking of bad games, Boyd Gordon was on the ice for the first four Rangers goals.

Alexander Semin somehow was credited with four hits.

Nick Backstrom, healing from a fracture in his thumb, took just one faceoff all night. The Caps finished at 51 percent for the evening.

The power play went 0-for-5 and penalty kill was just 2-for-4.

There were a couple of medical updates from Capitals practice this morning:

Alex Ovechkin wore a yellow "non-contact" jersey this morning. He shadowed the top line of Alexander Semin, Nick Backstrom and Mike Knuble, but did not participate in drills. He avoided holding his stick with his left hand.

After practice, coach Bruce Boudreau revealed that Ovechkin had a cortisone shot following the 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay Tuesday night.  Boudreau indicated that the non-specified problem Ovechkin received treatment for may have been bothering him for "a while", and hopefully the cortisone and rest will be enough to get him going again.

Both Ovechkin and Boudreau said he would be fine for Saturday's game against Florida.

Matt Hendricks and Mathieu Perreault also missed practice. Boudreau said Hendricks also had a cortisone shot to an unspecified area and Perreault needed some work to his "facial area" following the broken nose he sustained two weeks ago in Carolina. Both players are expected to go Saturday.

Goalie Michal Neuvirth left the ice before the team participated in sprints, but Boudreau was not aware and did not know any reason why he would not have participated. Semin also did not do sprints, rather took a knee while his teammates finished their skating.

The team spent much of practice working 3-on-2 drills around the net and shooting from the blue line and working on tip drills and creating havoc around the net.

There were several bits of injury-related news to come out of today's practice.

First, and apparently most serious:  Marcus Johansson is "week-to-week" with a lower-body injury, believed to be a foot injury after blocking a shot in last night's 3-2 win over Ottawa.  Coach Bruce Boudreau indicated that Johansson would "definitely be out for the weekend."

Johansson, the just-turned 20-year old center, in pointless in three contests so far with a -1 rating, but has displayed tremendous skating and puckhandling skills -- as well as some questionable decision-making.  But the youngster is adjusting to the size, speed and skill of NHL play.

Boudreau also said that Tom Poti, who took the pre-game skate but did not play last night, and Matt Bradley, who left that game after three shifts, were both "day-to-day" with lower-body injuries.  Neither is expected to play Wednesday against the Islanders.

As for potential reinforcements, Boudreau was cautious.  "We've got enough guys here right now," he said regarding potential call ups from Hershey. "Eventually it might happen, but we're at home. If we were going on the road...it would probably necessitate something. We're hoping the other guys will be able to be back by Saturday, so it wouldn't happen."

Matt Hendricks skated at center between Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr at practice today, according to reports.

Two forwards, David Steckel and D.J. King, have both been healthy scratches the past two games.

According to ESPN.com (of all places), and confirmed by Captials Insider, Alex Ovechkin has been suspended for two games follwing his second game misconduct ejection in three games for the kneeing major he was assessed in last night's 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

"I regret that this has happened," Ovechkin said in a statement released by the league. "I'm glad that Tim [Gleason] wasn't injured because I never ever want to see anyone get hurt. I am disappointed to miss these games and I can't wait to get back on the ice next week to help my team."

Ovechkin skated before practice today for a couple of minutes, and was listed as "day-to-day" with a sore right knee.  The diagnosis is much better than the original fears from watching the 235 pound winger collide with Hurricanes defenseman Gleason and writhe on the ice for several moments before being helped from the ice by Capitals trainer Greg Smith and center Nicklas Backstrom.

The Washington Capitals got two goals from Nicklas Backstrom and 35 saves from Jose Theodore, making his first start in over two weeks to beat Southeast Division foe Carolina on the road, 3-1.

But more importantly to the Capitals (16-5-6) was an injury to their two-time reigning Hart Trophy winner, Alex Ovechkin.

Ovechkin, trying to check Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason, sustained an apparent right knee injury when the two collided knee-to-knee in the first period.

The team released a statement to say that Ovechkin will not have an MRI tonight, but rather wait until the swelling goes down to get a better assessment of the injury.  The rugged left winger was observed by members of the press walking, apparently without crutches or a brace, on his way to the team bus after the game.

After Backstrom was wiped out by a big hit moments earlier, Ovechkin lined up Gleason for a hard check.  Gleason managed to move his upper body to avoid the hit high, but their lower bodies collided, with Ovechkin taking the brunt of the contact.  Gleason returned to the ice just a couple of shifts later.

Ovechkin was assessed a kneeing major penalty and game misconduct on the play, and the team managed to kill off the five-minute major.  Coming on the heels of his recent boarding penalty against Buffalo last week, the league will have to review the hit and consider disciplinary action.

This type of play will only go to further reinforce some people's opinion that Ovechkin plays with a reckless, irresponsible abandon.  And as far as intention from the type of play that it was, much more can be read into this one than the hit against Buffalo, where he hit the player shoulder-to-shoulder.

What we do know about Ovechkin's style of play is that he is relentless, willing, and relishes the opportunity to throw his body around in a rough, tough, aggressive manner.  And there are even those that say that Ovechkin plays "dirty".

Regardless of opinion, this is his second game misconduct in less than two weeks, prompting an automatic review and possible suspension.

But the disciplinary measures are secondary right now compared to the concerns about Ovechkin's health.

Meanwhile, Theodore played a magnificent game, especially early.  Carolina got 13 shots on goal in the game's first six minutes, and the veteran goalie, who had not played since Nov. 14, was equal to the task.

Backstrom had a big game as well, netting two goals.  He tipped in a nice feed from Ovechkin before the injury, and had a nice backhander to beat Michael Leighton, who was badly out of position.

Eric Fehr buried his seventh goals of the season as well, completing a two-on-one with Backstrom.

So the Washington Capitals organization and faithful will hold their collective breath overnight as everyone awaits Ovechkin's date with the team orthopedist tomorrow morning.  It's impossible to speculate at this point what the extent of the injury is until the results of his examination are released. 

But Ovechkin, one of the toughest players in the NHL pound-for-pound, was delicately assisted from the ice, clearly hanging his right leg limp, unable to put any of his weight on the leg.

Ovechkin's injury, and the circumstances surrounding it, are matters that go beyond the Capitals community.  The two-time MVP is one of the faces on the NHL, and expected to carry the torch for the Russian Olympic team in Vancouver in February.  His absence for an extended period of time would hurt the league and put a serious dent in Russia's Olympic hopes.

It's safe to say that the world's hockey community will anxiously await the Capitals' team doctor's diagnosis.

According to Capitals Insider, goalie Jose Theodore has left the team and retuned to Washington for "personal reasons".  The Caps recalled Michael Neuvirth to back up Semyon Varlamov tonight against the New York Rangers.

Also, Jay Beagle was recalled in case David Steckel can't go.  Steckel took a puck off the foot in yesterday's practice and was limping around afterward.

More details about Theodore's situation as they become available.

Photo © 2009 Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

For the second game in a row, the Washington Capitals fell in overtime at home to an opponent they should have dominated.  Sunday afternoon, in a strange 5:00 pm start, the Caps fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 when R.J. Umberger scored a power play goal, his second of the game, 1:45 into the overtime period.

What was worse was the goal, and the situation that led up to it, that allowed the Jackets to tie the game.  Raffi Torres tipped in a cross-crease pass just as a slashing penalty to veteran Mike Knuble expired...with 23 seconds remaining in the game.

"Well, we took a stupid penalty, and that's what happens when you take stupid penalties," coach Bruce Boudreau said about Knuble's slash.  "It was a selfish penalty, and they cost you all the time."

It's unfortunate the way things sorted out, since the team really rallied after losing their leader, Alex Ovechkin, to an injury mid-way through the second period.

About six minutes into the second period, the back-to-back Hart Trophy winner collided with Torres and fell awkwardly to the ice.  He managed to get to his feet and skate off on his own, but he did not return.

Coach Bruce Boudreau did not have much to say about anything in the post-game press conference, but did managed to say Ovechkin was day-to-day with an upper body injury.

The play the caused Ovechkin to leave came a few shifts after a fracas along the boards where Ovechkin tangled up with Jason Chimera and Jared Boll.  Ovechkin had laid out Chimera earlier in the game, and the two started to mix it up a bit and Boll came to the aid of his teammate.

Ovechkin was coy with the media after the game.

"It was just a moment of the game. Nothing happened. [Chimera] hit me, I hit him. It was a little battle over there but nothing happen. I can't tell you how I got hurt."

Columbus' two late goals and the injury overshadowed a back-and-forth contest that was disjointed, penalty-filled, and frankly, downright ugly.

The Blue Jackets held a 2-1 lead after two periods, and the Caps (8-2-4) needed someone to step up in Ovechkin's absence.  That person was winger Brooks Laich.

Laich scored twice in a little over two minutes in the third as Washington retook the lead at 10:23.

But the lead would be short-lived, as Torres converted a wrap-around backhand to beat a stickless Jose Theodore, who seemed to be stiffening up late in the game, using several timeouts to get down on the ice and stretch out.

Quentin Laing banged home a nice pass from David Steckel, who collected a shot from the point by Matt Bradley, to re-take the lead at 16:34, and the capacity crowd at Verizon hoped that would be the straw that broke Columbus' collective back.

"We wanted to prove this team isn't about one guy, it's about a team, and we wanted to show people we can come back," Laing said in the quiet Capitals locker.

But then the veteran Knuble took a retaliatory hack at a Columbus defender with 2:30 left, and the complexion of the game changed.

So the Caps lost their leader and lost a game.  They have taken one point apiece in home games against the New York Islanders and Columbus.

Washington is 6-0-3 in their last nine games, but they have shown the frustrating inability to close out games.  You have to think they feel like they've left two points on the table the last two games.

And if Ovechkin misses any time, or Theodore's back is flaring up, they will have to do more than rally.  They will have to find a way to finish off these weaker opponents -- especially at home.

Brendan Morrison said it best after the game. "We rallied and did a lot of good things offensively, and then we just go and shoot ourselves in the foot. It is frustrating because it was a game we should have won."

Washington does not want those words to become a familiar phrase.

Captials Insider reports that the Caps will recall two forwards for tomorrow night's game in Atlanta if Alexander Semin (illness) and Boyd Gordon (back) can't go. 

The obvious choice for the center spot is Keith Aucoin, who filled in for Gordon previously.  Who will the other forward be?  Put your guess in the comments!

It won't be Tomas Fleischmann, who still has some conditioning to do after being cleared to resume contact after rehabbing the blood clot in his leg.  He still has two games to serve on his Long Term Injured List spot regardless.

And needless to say, it won't be Michael Nylander either.

Shaone Morrisonn will be a game-time decision with a lower-body injury.  And John Erskine (hand) will travel with the team but is still day-to-day as well.  But then, aren't we all?

Goalie Jose Theodore had pronounced himself fit to play, but according to WP, he'll probably back up Semyon Varlamov tomorrow night.

The Washington Capitals (27-13-3-57, first in Southeast) face the Edmonton Oilers (20-18-3-42, fifth in Northwest) in the only meeting between the two clubs this season, at 7:00 pm from Verizon Center.

The Caps look to get back on the good foot, suffering embarrassing defeat in their last two contests. Saturday night, Washington dropped a 5-4 decision to Montreal on a goal with 22 seconds remaining, and Friday lost at home in regulation for only the second time this season, shut out by Steve Mason and Columbus, 3-0.

Washington has beaten Edmonton six straight at home, a streak that reaches back to 1997. The Oilers have not won in Washington once since 1990.

Edmonton is expected to be without their leading scorer, Ales Hemsky, who has missed seven straight games because of post-concussion symptoms and is listed day-to-day. He did travel with the team, though.

Lost in the bitter disappointment of defeat in Montreal was the re-emergence of forward Alexander Semin, who scored twice and looked, for the first time since returning from injury, like his old self. Semin, despite missing 18 games this season, is third on the team in scoring (16-20-36, +21) and second in goals.

Also, the team is getting healthier, as John Erskine will return to the lineup tonight and should be paired with Mike Green. Jeff Schultz and Sergei Federov both will dress as well. Boyd Gordon (back) and Eric Fehr should be the scratches, unless someone has a problem in warmups. Tom Poti is eligible, but will not yet return, from Long Term Injured Reserve.

Tyler Sloan and Sean Collins were reassigned to Hershey (AHL).

Jose Theodore (14-7-2, 2.89, .895) is expected to face Dwayne Roloson (12-8-3, 2.64, .917) in net.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: 6th (22.5%, 40/178); PK-24th (79.5%, 41/200)
EDM: 14th (18.2%, 34/187); PK-28th (74.9%, 45/179)
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INJURIES

WAS: D Brian Pothier (Concussion-OUT); D Tom Poti (Groin-IR); RW Boyd Gordon (Back-OUT)

EDM: RW Ales Hemsky (Nose/concussion-IR); RW Fernando Pisani (Ankle-Out); LW Robert Nilsson (Undisclosed-Questionable); RW Zack Stortini (Knee-IR); D Jason Strudwick (Wrist-Questionable)

Boyd Gordon missed tonight's game against Columbus after his back flared up on him during the pre-game skate. The team found out too late to substitute either of the two healthy scratches, Eric Fehr or Michael Nylander.

Coach Bruce Boudreau said after the game that he hadn't talked to the trainers yet, but based on Gordon's history and previous back troubles, he didn't expect Gordon to play tomorrow.

No word yet on how it would affect the lineup for tomorrow's road contest against Montreal.

• Simeon Varlamov (2-0-0, 1.50, .953) was sent back to AHL Hershey today. The teams pronounced Jose Theodore fit for action. In a brief interview posted by Capitals Insider, Varlamov was disappointed but resigned:

  "I'm a little bit disappointed," Varlamov [said, through the interpreter]. "But I was kind of expecting it because they told me in advance that it might happen. Of course, it's not very pleasant when you play well and you get sent back to the farm right away. But I understand what's going on."

• Brent Johnson is scheduled to start tomorrow's grudge match against the Flyers in Philly.
  
  
• D Mike Green practiced this morning and hopes to play tomorrow afternoon, depending on how sore his shoulder is in the morning.
  
  
• F Alexander Semin, however, did not practice and he is listed under the dreaded "day-to-day". Aren't we all.
  
  
• John Erskine didn't practice.

Imagine that you are a paralegal at a law firm and the partner gets sick, leaving you to argue in front of the Supreme Court. Or that you are a flight attendant and the pilot passes out and you have to land the plane.

That's how close Brett "Stretch" Leonhardt, a 26-year old website producer for the Washington Capitals, was to appearing in an NHL game.

That the Caps completely obliterated the Ottawa Senators, 5-1, before over 17,000 at Verizon Center tonight was almost an after thought after all the histrionics involved in finding a backup goaltender to Caps' starter Brent Johnson.

Washington goalie Jose Theodore injured his hip flexor during the morning skate and the Caps found themselves down a goalie. The player they wanted to recall, 20-year old phenom Simeon Varlamov of the AHL Hershey Bears, happened to be in transit to a road game in San Antonio, Texas. The Caps arranged to get him on a flight from that would have him landing at Reagan National Airport at 7:00 p.m.--gametime.

But it would take a while to get Varlamov from the airport to the arena, dressed and on the bench. That's where Leonhardt came in.

Leonhardt's normal job for the Caps is shooting and editing video for the club's website, one of the best in the league. He also happened to play Division III hockey at Oswego State and Neumann College. Occasionally, coach Bruce Boudreau has asked him to fill in at practice when one or the other of the teams goalies need a "maintenance day". But with Brent Johnson already nursing a painful hip injury himself, it was critical that the Caps had a goalie dressed for the game until Varlamov could arrive.

Caps General Manager George McPhee stopped by Leonhardt's cubical mid-day and according to Leonhardt, McPhee told him, "Be ready."

So Leonhardt signed an emergency tryout contract. The team received special dispensation from the league to dress three goalies. And just like that, a video editor turned into a backup NHL goaltender.

Leonhardt skated during pre-game warmups, and according to starting goalie Brent Johnson, "He stood on his head in warmups." He needed guidance in where to go and what to do, but acquitted himself honorably, despite fans--and media--trying to figure out who this No. 80 wearing goalie pads was.

When the game started, Johnson was indeed between the pipes, but Leonhardt was there on the bench, in a white Caps ball cap, just in case. During an early time-out they put him up on the high definition scoreboard and he sheepishly tugged the bill of his cap down and the capacity crowd gave his a rousing ovation.

But Varlamov made it to the arena and relieved Leonhardt mid-way through the first period, thus ending the 6'7" backup's NHL debut before it even started.

After the game, Leonhardt was back at his day job, shooting video during the post-game interviews. But while waiting for coach Boudreau to address the media, during a quiet moment in the locker room where just hours before he dressed as if to play in an NHL game, I asked him what he was going to do with his jersey.

"I'll put it in a nice display case and it'll make a nice Christmas gift for my father. I owe my father everything."

Photo by Getty Images.

The Washington Capitals (13-8-3-29, first in Southeast) face the Florida Panthers (9-11-3-21, third in Southeast) in the first of six meetings between the two division rivals this season at 7:00 p.m. from Verizon Center.

The Caps closed out a very good month of November (8-5-2) with back-to-back shut outs--one for and one against--but look to continue their high scoring ways tonight versus the Panthers.

Alex Ovechkin on Monday was named the NHL's #1 Star for November after scoring 25 points in the month, including a 10-game point streak. After a slow start, Ovie is now tied for fifth in the league in scoring with a total of 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists). His +13 has him tied for third behind teammate and NHL #1 Star for October Alexander Semin.

Despite having missed the last eight games with back and shoulder problems, Semin is still tied for seventh in scoring with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists). The team has weathered the storm of injuries in the last couple of weeks but will still be without some of its most important players for tonight's game.

Along with Semin, Sergei Federov, Mike Green, Tom Poti and John Erskine are all expected to miss the Panthers game, and a decision about Boyd Gordon still had not been made. Karl Alzner, who left the game in Columbus Saturday after a hard hit into the side boards, practiced Monday and should suit up, along with fellow recent call-ups Bryan Helmer and Sami Lepisto. They join Tyler Sloan as players who started with AHL Hershey now manning the Washington blue line.

Winger Tomas Fleischmann has been hot of late, scoring six of his nine goals in the last 14 games. He has points in four of his last five games.

Coach Bruce Boudreau plans to start Jose Theodore in net after making 28 saves in a the shut out win versus Montreal on Friday. He was won three of his last four starts overall and owns a 1.77 GAA at home this season.

Tonight's lines, courtesy of Capitals Insider:

Forwards:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Fleischmann-Nylander-Bradley
Laich-Steckel-Fehr
Brashear-Gordon-Mink

Defense:
Lepisto-Morrisonn
Alzner-Jurcina
Sloan-Helmer

Florida enters this contest losers of two of their last three games, including an overtime loss to New Jersey and a shoot out loss to the New York Rangers. The Panthers rebounded, however, against those same Rangers to earn a 4-0 shut out Saturday behind goaltender Craig Anderson Saturday night.

Anderson, normally the backup behind Tomas Vokoun, has been stellar this season, going 4-1-3 (1.87 GAA, .948 Sv%) in his ten starts while Vokoun has struggled. His only regulation loss came to St. Louis back on October 25. Anderson is 0-3 in his career against Washington.

The Panthers are one of the league's lowest scoring teams, averaging just 2.39 goals per game. Their task may be tougher for a while as David Booth, their leading scorer with 12 goals, injured his shoulder in the win over the Rangers and is out for tonight's game. No other Panther has more than six goals.

Washington is 9-0-1 at home this season, averaging 3.6 goals per home game.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-11th (19.8%, 20/101); PK-24th (79.0%, 25/119)
FLA: PP-27th (13.6%, 12/88); PK-11th (83.0%, 17/100)
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INJURIES

WAS: D Karl Alzner (Shoulder-PROB); RW Chris Clark (Forearm-OOU); D John Erskine (Concussion-OUT); C Sergei Fedorov (Ankle-QUES); D Mike Green (Shoulder-IR); D Tom Poti (Groin-QUES); D Jeff Schultz (Finger-IR ); LW Alexander Semin (Back-IR): D Brian Pothier (Concussion-OUT)

FLA: RW Nathan Horton (Leg-IR); LW Cory Stillman (Concussion-IR); LW Richard Zednik (Arm-IR); D Bryan Allen (Knee-IR); LW David Booth (Shoulder-OUT); D Cory Murphy (Shoulder-IR)

• Alex Ovechkin was named the NHL's #1 Star for the month of November. Last year's MVP had 11 goals and 14 assists in 15 games, including a ten-game scoring streak that ended in the 3-0 shut out loss to Columbus Saturday night. Teammate Alexander Semin was October's #1 Star.
  
  
• Coach Bruce Boudreau stated after Monday's practice that Jose Theodore will start Tuesday against Florida.
  
  
• Rookie D Karl Alzner participated in Monday's practice and is probable for Florida.
  
  
• Semin, D Mike Green and C Sergei Federov were all limited in practice and skated, but none are expected to play Tuesday. C Boyd Gordon and Ds Tom Poti and John Erskine did not practice and will not play.
  
  
• The team indicated they will make one recall today for the game tomorrow. If Gordon can't play, they might make two additions.
  
  
• Florida is coming off a 4-0 whitewash of the New York Rangers yesterday.
  
  
• Hershey (AHL) extended its winning streak to nine games with wins over Norfolk (3-2) and Philadelphia (9-0). The Bears are one short of the franchine record of 10, set in 2001-02.

The Washington Capitals (12-7-3-27, first in Southeast) play holiday hosts to the Montreal Canadiens (12-5-4-28, second in Northeast) at 7:00 pm ET from the Verizon Center.

The injury-riddled Caps come off Wednesday's victory over the Atlanta Thrashers with still more missing players. Veteran Tom Poti strained a groin in the 5-3 win, and he'll be on the shelf with the rest of the Caps' walking wounded. A quick glance of the Caps injury sheet reads like a Russian novel.

Out for tonight's game include four of their top six defenders (Poti, Mike Green (shoulder), Jeff Schultz (finger), and John Eskine (concussion). Absent up front are the team's second leading scorer Alexander Semin, veteran center Sergei Federov and captain Chris Clark.

To compensate for Poti's injury, Washington signed and recalled veteran minor league D Bryan Helmer and will pair him with Tyler Sloan, with whom he was playing in Hershey before Sloan's call-up.

Helmer, 36, is a 6'1", 215-pound 16-year pro from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He is the Bears captain and is second among team defensemen with eight assists. He has also recorded 14 penalty minutes in 21 games this year.

Helmer, who was undrafted, is a veteran of 134 NHL games and most recently played with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2003-04 season. He also suited up for the St. Louis Blues and the Vancouver Canucks and has eight goals, 15 assists and 133 penalty minutes on his NHL resume.

The entire Caps' defensive corps tonight--Shaone Morrisonn, Milan Jurcina, Bryan Helmer, Tyler Sloan, Sami Lepisto Karl Alzner--has a total of 669 NHL games to its credit, more than 400 games less than Montreal defensemen Roman Hamrlik and Patrice Brisbois combined.

Winger Graham Mink was returned to Hershey to make room for Helmer and Boyd Gordon is expected to return from his bout with back spasms.

Tonight's lines, reported by Capitals Insider:

Forwards:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Fleischmann-Nylander-Fehr
Laich-Steckel-Bradley
Brashear-Gordon-Bourque

Defense:
Lepisto-Morrisonn
Alzner-Jurcina
Helmer-Sloan

Les Habitant du Montreal are led by Saku Koivu (7-11-18, +9), Alex Tanguay (8-9-17, +5) and Aelxei Kovalev (5-11-16, even). Kovalev has gone nine games without a goal this month and Montreal has lost six of them.

Carey Price is the number one goaltender. He is 10-4-6 with a 2.33 GAA and .923 Sv%. Price was sharp between the pipes in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Price stopped 32 shots in the game and allowed only a goal to Johan Franzen in the 3rd period.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-7th (21.5%, 20/93); PK-25th (77.9%, 25/113)
MON: PP-22nd (15.5%, 16/103); PK-15th (81.9%, 19/105)
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INJURIES

WAS: RW Chris Clark (Forearm-Out); D John Erskine (Concussion-QUE); C Sergei Fedorov (Ankle-QUE); C Boyd Gordon (Back-PROB); D Mike Green (Shoulder-OUT); D Tom Poti Groin-DOU); D Jeff Schultz (Finger-IR); LW Alexander Semin (Back-OUT); D Brian Pothier (Concussion-OUT)

MON: D Mike Komisarek (Upper body-IR); RW Georges Laraque (Groin-OUT); RW Guillaume Latendresse (Shoulder-QUE); LW Alex Tanguay (Neck-QUE)

The Washington Capitals (11-7-3-25, first in Southeast Division) host the Atlanta Thrashers (8-10-2-18, third in Southeast Division) from Verizon Center at 7:00 pm ET.

As the team limps home from a five-game road trip that they finished 1-3-1, the theme for tonight's game is David Bowie's "Ch-ch-ch-changes, turn and face the strange", since four new players will be in the Washington line-up this evening. Recalled from Hershey are wingers Chris Bourgue and Graham Mink and defensemen Sami Lepisto and Karl Alzner. All four players will dress and play key roles for the parent club tonight.

This morning, the team placed D Jeff Schultz (broken finger) and RW Chris Clark (broken wirst) on the long-term injury list (LTIR), which means both players must miss at least 10 games, pushing their potential return date into mid-December. By putting the two on LTIR, the Caps received cap space to add the new players.

Schultz and Clark join Sergei Federov, Alexander Semin, Mike Green, Boyd Gordon and John Eskine on the injured list. Most of the others are still labelled "day-to-day", though none participated in the morning skate.

Here are tonight's lines, reported by Capitals Insider:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Fleischmann-Nylander-Fehr
Bourque-Laich-Bradley
Brashear-Steckel-Mink

Sloan-Poti
Alzner-Jurcina
Lepisto-Morrisonn

Atlanta is led by forwards Slava Kozlov (11-8-19, +1), Ilya Kovalchuk (7-11-18, -2) and Bryan Little (9-9-18, +8). Top goaltender Kari Lehtonen (2-5-2, 3.44, .903) has struggled and is hampered now by a sore back. Johan Hedberg (4-3-0, 3.88, .884) has not provided solid backup either, and the team recalled Ondej Pavelec (2-2-0, 2.33, .913) when Lehtonen went down and the youngster has provided a spark.

Hedberg got the win last night as Atlanta defeated Toronto 6-3. Todd White had two goals in the effort. The Thrashers had lost their previous three games.
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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-10th (20.2%, 18-89); PK-24th (79.1%, 23-110)
ATL: PP-15th (18.4%, 16-87); PK-28th (75.0%, 23-92)
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INJURIES (OUT, DBT-doubtful, QUE-Questionable, DTD-Day to day; IR-Injury List)

WAS: C Sergei Fedorov (Ankle-OUT); LW Alexander Semin (Upper body-OUT); D John Erskine (Undisclosed-QUE); C Boyd Gordon (Back-QUE); D Mike Green (Shoulder-OUT); D Jeff Schultz (Finger-OUT); RW Chris Clark (Wrist-OUT); D Brian Pothier (Concussion-OUT)
ATL: C Steve Rucchin (concussion-DBT); D Zach Bogosian (leg-IR_; G Kari Lehtonen Back-QUE)

According to the Caps radio broadcast, D Jeff Schultz has broken a finger, and is expected to be out "for weeks." Updates will follow after the game.

Just what this team needs: another major player on the injury list. It will be interesting to see how the team replaces one of their top minute men on the blue line if this preliminary report is indeed accurate.

Boyd Gordon also has left the game with and undisclosed injury. YIKES!