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Washington Capitals News

Shootout loss to Jets was missed opportunity for Capitals
February 11
Washington Times
 
"A broken-stick penalty, a six-on-three goal and a once-in-a-season kind of deflection. Those are the events that led the Washington Capitals into overtime and then a shootout and eventually a loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. Bad bounces? Sure. "Unfortunately, there was a blocked shot and then a deflection, and they get the one goal," forward Brooks Laich said. "And the second goal was an absolute fluke." At the end of the night, it was an odd 3-2 shootout loss, but more than anything else, it seemed like bad timing. Also Thursday, the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators won and the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils each picked up a point. Not managing to win in"
Iffy call sparks action
February 10
Winnipeg Free Press
 
"A scoreless game through 49 minutes on Thursday night really heated up. What caused it? Turns out it was a very dubious penalty call by referee Rob Martell, who whistled Jets defenceman Toby Enstrom for slashing. Enstrom put a hard stick check on Caps forward Matt Hendricks, and the smack broke Hendricks' stick. When the Washington forward threw up his hands and looked at Martell, he got the call and all hell broke loose for the rest of the night. Washington scored on that power play to go ahead 1-0 and scored on a power play three minutes later."
12-second spurt undoes Capitals' surefire win in shootout loss to Jets
February 10
Washington Times
 
"Two-goal lead and easy couple of points — all gone in 12 seconds. On Tuesday night, the Washington Capitals went from cruise control to a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets at Verizon Center that left Matt Hendricks at a loss. "It was kind of hard explaining that one," he said. "It's a tough way to lose." Tough because the Caps led comfortably with just over two minutes left. They dominated the game despite a strong performance from Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec and were able to crack him twice in the third. But a couple of penalties opened the door for a six-on-three goal by the Jets on a scramble in front and then a flukey one that bounced in off defenseman Karl Alzner's stick."
Capitals let lead vanish against Jets, costing them a valuable point
February 10
Washington Post
 
"This game slipped through the Capitals' grasp within a span of 12 seconds. A few seconds that included an unexpected broken-stick call on Brooks Laich, a six-on-three power play for the Winnipeg Jets and a shot from the red line that redirected off Karl Alzner then found its way into the net. Those 12 seconds were all the Jets needed to force overtime and serve as a catalyst for a 3-2 shootout win at Verizon Center on Thursday night."
Jets' comeback win against Caps timely
February 10
Winnipeg Free Press
 
"As pivotal moments go, this one has the potential to change a lot of outlooks. A game that looked lost after 57 minutes changed on a pair of power-play goals from the suddenly surging Winnipeg Jets, who rallied to defeat the Washington Capitals with two goals late in regulation time and then two more in the shootout, a 3-2 final at stunned Verizon Center on Thursday night. Instead of falling six points back of the Southeast Division-leading Capitals, the Jets today are just three back of that top rung in their division. The Caps and Florida, winners Thursday night over L.A., share the top at 61 points, with Winnipeg at 58 after winning four of the last six."
Washington Capitals' Mike Knuble will be healthy scratch tonight against Winnipeg Jets
February 9
Washington Post
 
"For the first time in his three seasons with the Capitals, veteran Mike Knuble will be a healthy scratch based on his performance and will watch tonight's game against the Winnipeg Jets from the Verizon Center press box. "It's always hard to do," Coach Dale Hunter said, "But you put [Jay] Beagle in [for] more speed. Mike hasn't scored in a while, figured get him up top and watch the game." Knuble hasn't scored in the past 27 games – a stretch that dates back to Dec. 5 – and has seen his offensive production dip along with his ice time and role among the top six forwards. His last point was an assist on Jan. 13 against Tampa Bay, 11 games ago."
Nicklas Backstrom: 'I don't know when I will be able to play again'
February 9
Washington Post
 
"Nicklas Backstrom hasn't skated for more than five minutes over the past 34 days, and based on his recent comments to Swedish news outlet Gefle Dagblad, there continues to be no indication as to when the Capitals center may be able to return to the lineup. Backstrom suffered a concussion on Jan. 3 when he was elbowed in the head by then-Calgary forward Rene Bourque and has not played since, missing 15 games and counting. The 24-year-old's comments to Gefle Dagblad, which was translated by our friends over at Japers' Rink, do not offer much reason for optimism as the Capitals continue to wait for his recovery. "I don't know when I will be able to play again," Backstrom said, "but I hope I"
Jets target Capitals in crucial matchup
February 9
Winnipeg Free Press
 columnist Tim Campbell
"You might as well get used to it -- next up for the Winnipeg Jets is their biggest game of the year. Having won their most recent biggest game of the year on Tuesday night, a 2-1 home win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Jets headed to Washington Wednesday and meet the Capitals, another team ahead of them in the NHL's Eastern Conference standings, tonight at 6 o'clock at Verizon Center. The Capitals are not only ahead of Winnipeg but they're a special target. That's because the Jets are actually closer to the third seed in the Eastern Conference than the eighth seed. The Caps lead the Southeast Division at 60 points after Tuesday's blanking of Florida. That's only four ahead of Winnipeg."
Alex Ovechkin has made ice hockey cool for Washington area's youth athletes
February 9
Washington Post
 
"Jeff Halpern showed up at the Ashburn Ice House to put on a hockey clinic one recent Wednesday evening. What he saw came as a bit of a shock: a crowd. Halpern, the Washington Capitals' center, grew up in Potomac and remembers when hockey was a sport for the relatively few young athletes who wanted to try something different from football or baseball. Not anymore."
Joel Ward 'answered the bell' with strong outing against Panthers
February 9
Washington Post
 
"Over the past few weeks, Joel Ward's struggles were on display as his ice time dipped dramatically. The Capitals winger, a high-priced offseason signing to the tune of a four-year, $12 million deal, went from averaging around 14 to 15 minutes per game to less than 10 minutes for six consecutive games leading up to Tuesday's contest against the Florida Panthers. In that crucial meeting against the Panthers, though, the Capitals' coaching staff needed him to revive his role as a shutdown forward, particularly with Brooks Laich being held in a limited role with a left knee injury. Ward was placed on a line with Matt Hendricks and Jeff Halpern that was responsible for shutting down Florida's"
Brooks Laich, Alex Ovechkin and Dennis Wideman get day off
February 9
Washington Post
 
"The Capitals held a 40-minute practice Wednesday but given the rigors of the schedule at this point in the season, a few players were instructed to take the day off from skating. Alex Ovechkin, Dennis Wideman and Brooks Laich all were excused from the session. According to Coach Dale Hunter, Laich "was good" after playing 9 minutes and 28 seconds against the Panthers despite his injured left knee. The versatile forward was simply given a day off to rest. Wideman, who leads the team in ice time this season, played 18:41 against the Panthers while Ovechkin saw 20:15."
Florida Panthers come up empty in 4-0 loss to Capitals
February 8
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The resurgent Panthers have waited nearly 11 years to be involved in a game with such significant playoff ramifications in February. It took them just 13 seconds to take on their usual second-half role as patsies to the Southeast Division-leading bully Capitals who got two goals from their burly superstar Alexander Ovechkin en route to a 4-0 loss Tuesday night at the Verizon Center. With their No. 1 goalie Jose Theodore sitting at home in South Florida rehabbing a lingering minor knee injury, former Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun easily bested his understudy of two seasons, Scott Clemmensen, who for the second game in a row couldn't overcome a shaky start in which he gave up two goals on the"
Alex Ovechkin's two goals help vault Washington past Florida, 4-0 and into first place in division
February 8
Washington Post
 
"Before his Washington Capitals hosted the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, Coach Dale Hunter compared this February meeting to a playoff game. While that was an exaggeration, the Capitals responded in kind. Tomas Vokoun recorded a 42-save shutout and Alex Ovechkin scored a pair of goals to lead Washington to a 4-0 victory over the Panthers in one of its most consistent outings and thorough wins in recent memory."
Tomas Vokoun makes 42 saves, shuts out Panthers in Capitals' 4-0 win
February 8
Washington Post
 
"In each of Tomas Vokoun's last three appearances in a game between the Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers, two as the goaltender for the former and one for the latter, he has shut out the opposing club. The latest was a 42-save dazzler in the Capitals' 4-0 win over Florida on Tuesday that propelled them back into first place in the Southeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference. "Tomas was sharp all night. We might have not had the lead after the first period if it wasn't for Tomas," Coach Dale Hunter said. "We gave up breakaways and he came up big for us in the first period. He played a great game and he was one of the main reasons why we won.""
Quick healer: Laich likely to play tonight for Caps
February 7
CSN Washington
 
"The good-natured ribbing of Brooks Laich began the moment he stepped on the ice shortly before Tuesday's 10 a.m. practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. "He bleeds red!" shouted one teammate. "Game day!" chimed another. "Tweet that!" yelled a third. Less than 48 hours after leaving the Verizon Center on crutches and strapped in a left knee brace after taking a big hit from Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, Laich was on the ice Tuesday looking ready, willing and able to play in tonight's crucial Southeast Division showdown with the Florida Panthers."
Laich leaves a void in Capitals' lineup
February 7
Washington Times
 
"Brooks Laich thinks he's going to play hockey until he's 60. Given his durability and stubbornness, it's not impossible to envision the Washington Capitals forward going strong until age 40. For the past four-plus seasons, the Capitals have played just four games without Laich. Tuesday, they'll have to do just that, trying to figure out how to replace their most versatile player. "The thing is you don't try and replace him," winger Troy Brouwer said. "Everyone's got to bring a little bit more in their game. It's not like we can tell a player to be a Brooks Laich anymore. Guys got to help out on draws, guys got to help out in the D-zone. He's a good, well-rounded player, and guys have to"
For Washington Capitals, finishing first in division is crucial
February 7
Washington Post
 
"The only desirable place to be in the Southeast Division these days is first. That distinction, claimed by even the slimmest of margins or tiebreakers, can mean the difference between a guaranteed postseason berth and scrapping with a pack of five to six other teams for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers know this pendulum swing well, as they've swapped places in the standings five times in the past three weeks and their proximity makes every meeting between the two franchises all the more important."
Capitals look to gain ground in Southeast
February 7
Washington Post
 
"These days in the Southeast Division the only desirable place to be is first, which catapults a team into third place in the Eastern Conference standings and comes with the luxury of a guaranteed playoff berth. As the Capitals and Florida Panthers know well, if they're not first, they're jockeying with a pack of teams for positioning in the playoff picture. A point or two gained here or lost there can be the difference in perspective and allows the standings to fluctuate on a nightly basis. For example, if Washington (58 points) can defeat the Panthers (59 points) Tuesday night it will go from ninth in the East to third. Lose in regulation and the Capitals will trail Florida by three"
Mike Green doesn't skate Monday
February 6
Washington Times
 
"Mike Green was definitely making progress last week. He underwent successful sports hernia surgery on Jan. 17 and was back on the ice. He skated four days in a row and reported after Day Three to be moving along well. "Mentally I feel great. I have a progression of the injury," he said last Thursday. "At least I have an end date where I should be better and that's comforting. But physically I'm Day Three into being on the ice and today with equipment on. It's still early. But from the point of the surgery I'm two weeks in and on the right path.""
Time's a wasting on Caps making postseason push
February 6
Washington Times
 columnist Dan Daly
"Thirty games remain for the Washington Capitals. The trade deadline is three weeks away. Tick. Tock. Actually, there might be more of a ringing in their ears after the Boston Bruins beat them 4-1 on Super Sunday at Verizon Center. In addition to the defeat, the Capitals may have lost yet another key performer: multitasker Brooks Laich, who limped off midway through the game after being checked into the boards. Throw in Nick Backstrom's lingering concussion issues, Mike Green's abdominal surgery and the continuing funks of Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, and the prospect of a late-season run like last year's seems unlikely. Dale Hunter wasn't overreacting to Laich's left knee injury, not"
Bruins put slump on ice
February 6
Boston Herald
 
"For the first time in weeks, the Bruins truly looked like the Bruins for 60 minutes — like the team that won a Stanley Cup last June and dominated the league earlier this season. Playing their best all-around game in some time, the Bruins handled the Washington Capitals, 4-1, and avoided their first three-game losing streak since October. "I think overall, the last couple of days, we went in the right direction," said goalie Tim Thomas, who was in fine form. "We're starting to play the type of hockey the Boston Bruins play." This is the start of a crucial and difficult stretch for the B's, with 8-of-10 on the road, and they may be rediscovering their game just in time. "We took another"
Dmitry Orlov takes another puck to the face
February 6
Washington Post
 
"In the third period of Sunday's 4-1 loss to Boston, Capitals rookie defenseman Dmitry Orlov was struck under the visor by a deflected puck. It was the second straight afternoon in which Orlov was hit in the face by a puck. "He broke his nose last game," Coach Dale Hunter said, referring to Saturday's 3-0 victory in Montreal. "He got another puck there.""
Caps lose Brooks Laich to knee injury
February 6
Washington Post
 
"Brooks Laich left Verizon Center on crutches and wearing a brace on his left knee. Still, the Capitals winger forward remained hopeful that the injury was not too serious. Laich got crunched along the end boards by Dennis Seidenberg with about eight minutes remaining in the second period of Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins. Laich needed to be helped to the dressing room by head athletic trainer Greg Smith and defenseman Karl Alzner. A few minutes later, Laich, who ranks sixth on the team in scoring with 28 points, came onto the ice during a television timeout and took a twirl. But he promptly returned to the room and did not play another shift."
Brooks Laich is hurt in Washington's 4-1 loss
February 6
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Capitals suffered a momentum-halting 4-1 loss to Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins on Sunday afternoon. It's also possible they absorbed yet another injury to a key player. Versatile forward Brooks Laich limped out of Verizon Center on crutches and sported an immobilizer on his left knee after getting crunched along the end boards in the second period by Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. "I'm going to get some ice on it and see how I feel when I get up," said Laich, who has 10 goals and 28 points, the sixth-highest total on the team. "I'm not a doctor, but with these things sometimes there's some swelling and you've got to wait to see what happens. But I don't think it's"
Ovechkin gives Capitals 'emotional lift' in return
February 5
Washington Times
 
"Alex Ovechkin took just one shot on goal and played a shade under 20 minutes. It wasn't the magnificent, light-up-Bell Centre sort of comeback that some in Montreal may have scripted, but the Washington Capitals' captain emerged from his three-game suspension thrilled to be back on the ice. "I feel pretty good fresh out there. I go back and forth; I was not tired. It's a good sign for me," Ovechkin said. "It's just game situation and I miss it. I'm pretty happy we won and I'm pretty happy I was in that game." Ovechkin didn't play much of a role in the Caps beating the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, though he had a couple noticeable passes or hustle plays that made it clear"
Alex Ovechkin after first game back: 'I feel pretty good, fresh out there'
February 5
Washington Post
 
"Alex Ovechkin didn't have a particularly large impact on Washington's 3-0 win over the Canadiens on Saturday afternoon in his first game back after serving a three-game suspension. But it certainly doesn't hurt for the Capitals to have the face of the franchise and captain back in the mix. Ovechkin finished with no points in 21 shifts, totaling 19 minutes 57 seconds of ice time. He recorded one shot on goal, while two attempts missed and another two were blocked. The star left wing was also credited with three hits. While his impact on the score sheet may have been minimal, his presence occupies much of the opposing team's attention."
Dennis Wideman's fluky goal is Capitals' game winner against Canadiens
February 5
Washington Post
 
"Dennis Wideman's goal 8 minutes 10 seconds into the first period at Bell Centre Saturday afternoon certainly wasn't pretty. In fact, the defenseman hung his head in disbelief at the way he chipped the puck like he was a golfer with a wedge rather than fully connecting on a slap shot. That fluky goal stood as the game-winner, though, as the Capitals captured an important 3-0 win against Montreal. "It just went straight up," Wideman said. "You want to score goals but when they go in like that you kind of don't know what to do. Things aren't going well for them and when it's going that way, it seems like goals like that go in. You kind of feel bad; I've been on the other end before.""
Capitals not forgetting about Rene Bourque, but focus is on the two points
February 4
Washington Times
 
"It took just nine seconds into Rene Bourque's first shift Jan. 18 for the Washington Capitals' Matt Hendricks to challenge him to fight. On Jan. 3, then with the Calgary Flames, Bourque put Nicklas Backstrom out of the lineup with a reckless elbow to the head. That was a way of getting some sort of retribution, but it might not be the end of the whole situation for the Montreal Canadiens forward. "I don't know. Our guy's still out. I don't think our guys are ever going to forget what happened," Caps forward Brooks Laich said. "I don't know. I don't know if it's over or not. We're going to win a hockey game. That's the main focus. If anything else happens, it happens." Something very well"
Alex Ovechkin eager to get back into lineup
February 4
Washington Times
 
"In their first nine games without Nicklas Backstrom, the Washington Capitals picked up nine points. Not a pace good enough to win the Southeast Division if it continued, but not too bad without a leading scorer and MVP. In the past three games without Backstrom and without the suspended Alex Ovechkin, the Caps picked up three points. It's the same pace, but it doesn't mean they don't miss their captain. "You always could use him on the ice," coach Dale Hunter said. "He got three games to watch the hockey and stuff. You're always dying to get back in there again." Ovechkin is indeed dying to play again."
Capitals place Joel Rechlicz on waivers
February 4
Washington Post
 
"Washington placed Joel Rechlicz on waivers, with the intention of reassigning him to the AHL's Hershey Bears. That's what will happen unless another NHL team claims the tough forward by Saturday at noon. Rechlicz's Bears equipment bag was packed and in front of his stall in the dressing room at KCI. He requires waivers to be assigned to Hershey because this is his fourth season after signing an entry-level deal with the Islanders in 2008. That Rechlilcz signed an NHL contract on Jan. 30, also means he must pass through waivers before he can be loaned to the AHL."
Alex Ovechkin excited about returning from suspension
February 4
Washington Post
 
"For three games, Alex Ovechkin perched in press boxes watching the Washington Capitals compete without him. For three games, he sat in a suit alongside members of the coaching staff, smacking his hand on a countertop rather than finishing a shoulder check when he observed something he didn't like on the ice. On Saturday, Ovechkin is back after serving the longest suspension of his NHL career when the Capitals visit the Montreal Canadiens for a matinee meeting at Bell Centre. Given Washington's position outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture heading into back-to-back games this weekend, a rested Ovechkin is a welcome addition for a team already playing without Mike Green (sports"
Caps' Green makes progress by skating after sports hernia surgery
February 3
Washington Times
 
"Mike Green is still some time away from returning to game action for the Washington Capitals. Sports hernia surgery on Jan. 17 ensured the defenseman would be out four to six more weeks after missing much of the season with nagging injuries. But this week Green made a big first step toward playing just his 11th game of the season by skating for three straight days."
Mike Green's recovery is 'on the right path'
February 3
Washington Post
 
"It's been a long, injury-filled season for Mike Green, but 16 days after he underwent sports hernia surgery, the defenseman appears to be on track with his latest recovery. Green skated for the third straight day on Thursday, which was also the first time he worked out in full pads and gear. While it's still in the early stages of his recovery, that the defenseman was able to get on the ice two weeks after going under the knife is most assuredly a positive sign."
Capitals recall Keith Aucoin
February 3
Washington Post
 
"Washington recalled veteran center Keith Aucoin from the Hershey Bears and he will participate in practice on Friday at KCI. Aucoin, 33, leads the AHL in points (70) and assists (59) through 43 games with the Bears this season. This marks his first recall to the Capitals this season and if he plays in a game it will be his first appearance in a Washington sweater since Dec. 28, 2010 against Montreal."
Panthers score three goals in third to soar past Caps, reclaim first place
February 2
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Panthers coach Kevin Dineen was hoping his well-rested team would, "get their swag," back after the All-Star break, particularly with the first game a battle for Southeast Division supremacy against the Washington Capitals. Before the break, the Panthers had lost five of their last six and 11 of 15 games. That's why they awoke Wednesday in ninth place of the Eastern Conference, out of the playoffs for the first time in months. So far, mission accomplished as Mikael Samuelsson scored two goals and Scott Clemmensen shined in the net to lead the Panthers to a 4-2 victory in the BankAtlantic Center. Their first regulation victory since Jan. 9 also allowed the Panthers to reclaim first place of"
Energy curiously lacking for Caps in loss to Panthers
February 2
Washington Times
 
"An announced crowd of 15,231 Wednesday night at BankAtlantic Center included many tickets sold that went unused. It didn't seem to matter that the Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers were fighting for first place in the Southeast Division, as the odd confluence of an 8 p.m. start and Alex Ovechkin's suspension likely played a role in a light crowd. And a role in the Caps' 4-2 loss apparently, too. Energy was lacking all night and the Caps struggled to scrounge enough of it up. "I found that it was quiet; it was kind of tough to get up for the game here. I don't know why. I think I have an idea why," defenseman Karl Alzner said. "The crowd was quiet, yeah. So I think that has a little"
Washington falls from NHL Southeast Division lead with loss to Panthers
February 2
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Capitals entered Wednesday night with an opportunity to pull another step away from the Florida Panthers in what likely will be a close race for the NHL Southeast Division title. Instead the Capitals demonstrated a lack of energy and focus in an important contest and fell, 4-2, to Florida in the latest example of what has become an alarming trend of futility on the road. This loss dropped Washington from the division lead to ninth place — out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Panthers hold a 57 to 56 lead in points over Washington and have won two of the three meetings between the teams this season."
ashington rallies from two-goal deficit before falling in overtime at Tampa Bay, 4-3
February 1
Washington Post
 
"There's no question the Washington Capitals would rather have picked up two points here Tuesday night instead of only one in an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. But the mood in the visiting dressing room was more positive than morose as the Capitals prepared for the second leg of back-to-back games in Florida. Washington erased a two-goal deficit and forced overtime in one of its better puck possession games in recent memory but ultimately fell, 4-3, to the Lightning when Steven Stamkos recorded the game-winner on a rebound 2 minutes 45 seconds into overtime."
Capitals focus on positives after 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay
February 1
Washington Post
 
"The Capitals' focus Tuesday night wasn't on the negative side of the 4-3 overtime loss to Tampa Bay, but rather the positive elements that allowed them to squeeze a point out of a game that they trailed by two goals halfway through. Chief among those attributes was Washington's ability to cycle the puck and dominate possession as the contest wore on. "I thought we controlled the puck maybe as well as we've done over the last 20, 30 games and that's in our zone, in the neutral zone," said Brooks Laich, who was on the ice for the Capitals' first and third goals. "It felt like we had the puck more often than not — we were making them chase. It comes with good decisions, it comes with"
Capitals 'down to crunch time'
January 31
Washington Post
 columnist Katie Carrera
"With much still to be determined about how this year plays out for the Capitals, no one needs to remind the players of the importance of each of the final 34 contests in the regular season. They know there's plenty of room left for improvement but that they need to make those strides as quickly as possible, beginning with back-to-back games against Tampa Bay and Florida. "It's down to crunch time," Coach Dale Hunter said. "You're going down the home stretch, every point means a lot. All these games [end up] being playoff type hockey games.""
Dale Hunter: Joel Rechlicz 'gives the team some more toughness'
January 31
Washington Post
 
"As the American Hockey League's leader in penalty minutes this season (184) and with 41 fights (AHL and NHL) in the past three regular seasons, according to Hockeyfights.com, Joel Rechlicz doesn't need much of an introduction. Washington signed him to a one-year deal and recalled him for a two-game road trip to Florida to add some snarl to the lineup. "A lot of teams have heavyweights and he's going to add toughness to our team. He's a tough character and he's just a tough guy you can have on the road," said Coach Dale Hunter, who was then asked if he thought the Capitals lacked toughness."
Capitals recall Joel Rechlicz and Cody Eakin from Hershey
January 31
Washington Post
 
"Washington signed AHL tough-guy Joel Rechlicz to a one-year NHL contract and recalled him, along with forward Cody Eakin, this morning. Both players will participate in the Capitals' 2 p.m. practice at KCI. While Eakin has split time this season between Washington and the AHL's Hershey Bears, this marks Rechlicz's first call up to the Capitals."
Back to the real NHL games
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Chris Stevenson
"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"
Dennis Wideman's All-Star experience was a sign of the times
January 30
Washington Times
 
"Still in his skates, Dennis Wideman waded around the tiny visitors locker room at Scotiabank Place with sharpie in hand. It's a ritual of NHL All-Stars to get their teammates autographs, and the Washington Capitals defenseman wasn't letting this opportunity go to waste. He hunted down his final couple of players, including Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, to make sure he had all the signatures he needed on his blue No. 6 jersey to commemorate his first All-Star Game appearance. "I got one of my jerseys signed and hopefully get that framed up and hung somewhere," a smiling Wideman said. "You never know. You might not ever be back here again.""
Capitals look for improvement as NHL season's second half begins
January 30
Washington Post
 
"As the NHL prepares to resume the regular season after a five-day hiatus for the All-Star Game, the Washington Capitals sit at a fork in the road. With 34 games remaining, the Capitals can either cement themselves in the postseason for the fifth straight year or founder, slipping backward into the pack of Eastern Conference squads. Washington, which holds a tenuous grasp on first place in the Southeast with 55 points and 26 wins, will begin to determine its path with an important set of back-to-back games against division foes Tampa Bay and Florida on the road on Tuesday and Wednesday. That the Capitals ultimately control their own fate is a luxury, players said, given how up-and-down this"
Chara's stars beat hometown hero Alfredsson
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"On his big day, Daniel Alfredsson surrounded himself with Swedes. But it was a bunch of Slovak buddies, led by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik, who drove Team Chara to a 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson in front of 20,510 in the 57th NHL all-star game Sunday at Scotiabank Place. While former Senators defenceman Zdeno Chara scored the third-period winner, it was Gaborik, voted the game MVP, who led his club to victory with a hat trick and four-point effort as Team Chara walked away with the bragging rights. "You could see the guys wanted to win," said Chara when asked if he gave his team any instructions with the score tied 6-6 going into the third period. "I didn't have to say a"
Bettman, Fehr discuss NHL CBA, admit negotiations haven't begun yet
January 29
Washington Times
 
"NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Players' Association executive director Donald Fehr talked a lot Saturday about the upcoming collective bargaining agreement. But both said little about the whole situation. It's a subject that will be in the spotlight from now through an uncertain offseason, with the CBA set to expire Sept. 15. But in town for NHL All-Star weekend, neither side was willing to show its cards publicly. Instead, Bettman and Fehr cautioned that there's plenty of time to work things out, even though negotiations haven't really started yet. "My guess is, at least informally we'll have some discussions in the not-too-distant future," Bettman said. "We're patient. I'm not"
Bruins reunion for Capitals' All-Star Dennis Wideman
January 28
Washington Times
 
"It might feel like the good Ol' Boston days for Dennis Wideman this weekend, on a team captained by defenseman Zdeno Chara and coached by Claude Julien and his staff. If only Wideman's time with the Bruins didn't end on such a sour note. Wideman spent parts of four seasons in Boston that he enjoyed, despite things going downhill late in the 2009-10 campaign before he was traded to the Florida Panthers. "The other things in Boston didn't end great. I had a bad year or a couple bad months there. But that's part of the game; that's what we're doing," Wideman said Friday. "Boston fans, they're intense and they expect you to play a certain way. I wasn't at the time, and they let me know about"
NHL All-Stars react to Alex Ovechkin's decision to skip event
January 28
Washington Times
 
"As a suspended player, Alex Ovechkin didn't want to be a distraction at NHL All-Star weekend. He succeeded in avoiding that role and the bevy of questions that would have inevitably come with his appearance in Ottawa, but that didn't mean his absence wasn't a topic of conversation. Most players brushed off the importance of Ovechkin pulling out, but Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen voiced opposition to the Washington Capitals star's choice. "I always think this is kind of your personal choice, but for the fans, I don't think it's right. Still, the fans are the ones who pay our salary and that kind of stuff," Timonen said. "They wanted to see him; he's one of the best players in"