"Fresh off the ice and a victory against his former team, Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman sat in the locker room at Verizon Center among a swarm of reporters. As he entertained questions about the importance of winning the last game before the All-Star break, playing against the defending Stanley Cup champions and earning two points without the team's two leading scorers, Wideman wiped his sweat-soaked hair away from his face.

The 28-year-old defenseman was playing in his 500th NHL game and celebrating his first selection to the league's All-Star Game. His importance on the blue line has been magnified by the long-term absence of high-scoring defenseman Mike Green."