BallHype - Latest Washington Capitals News Articles

Maple Leafs 2, Caps 1 (SO)

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:18:41 +0000

Reaction to tonight's humbling 2-1 shootout loss to the lowly Leafs was all over the place in the visitors' dressing room at Air Canada Centre. Coach Bruce Boudreau said his players looked worn out, a combination of playing on back to back nights and performing under the strain of so many injuries. It would be hard to argue with him. Then there was captain Chris Clark, who was annoyed about his team's second straight flat start and its inconsistent effort from shift to shift, period to period, against the league's worst team. Again, it would be hard to argue with him. Both, in my opinion, have valid points. But the Leafs? Really? With an early flight to Ottawa in a few hours, I'm going to keep things brief tonight. If you haven't already, check out my game story here and then come on back for a few notes that

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Bottom's up: Maple Leafs knock off Capitals

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:50:27 +0000

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Leafs get bounces, beat Capitals in SO (AP)

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Phil Kessel, Niklas Hagman and a couple of good bounces helped pull the Toronto Maple Leafs out of another extended winless slide. The Toronto forwards scored shootout goals in a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, giving the Maple Leafs their first victory in six games. It's the first time Toronto has won a game in extra time all season.

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Tonight's lineup: Caps at Maple Leafs

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:30:45 +0000

Seymon Varlamov will start in goal tonight at Air Canada Center, where the banged up Caps try to take two points from the NHL's worst team. Vesa Toskala, meanwhile, is expected to be in net for the Maple Leafs. Out for Washington are: Alexander Semin (wrist), Mike Knuble (broken finger), Boyd Gordon (back), Quintin Laing (broken jaw), Milan Jurcina (groin), Tom Poti (upper body) and Shaone Morrisonn (concussion). Considering all that, the rest of the Caps' patchwork lineup should look like this: Forwards Ovechkin-Backstrom-Laich Fleischmann-Morrison-A. Gordon Clark-Perreault-Fehr Steckel-Beagle-Bradley Defense Schultz-Green Erskine-Pothier Sloan-Carlson Goalies Varlamov Theodore I'll have more after the game.

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Varlamov appears set to start

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:23:09 +0000

Here's a quick run down of the Caps' lineup/injury situation from this morning's optional skate at ACC: *Semyon Varlamov appears to be line to start tonight at ACC while it also looks like he'll be backed up by Jose Theodore. Michal Neuvirth, meantime, has been reassigned to Hershey to make room for right Andrew Gordon, who was recalled from the Bears today. "We had to make room on the cap, so we sent Nuevirth back down," Coach Bruce Boudreau explained. "And we needed a roster spot, as well." Why Gordon? He's got 20 points (eight goals, 10 assists) for Hershey.

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Canadiens 3, Caps 2

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:49:58 +0000

The Caps came out slow against Carey Price and the Canadiens, then poured it on late. But in the estimation of Coach Bruce Boudreau and several of his players, this game was lost in the first period and the opening minutes of the second. "The biggest thing is I don't think we were ready at the start of the game," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I think we thought, 'We're the Washington Capitals and we're going to go out there and it's going to be an easy win. But there's no easy wins in the National Hockey League." "When we got the sense of urgency in the last two periods," he added. "Sometimes it's too late when the other goalie is on top of his game." I covered a decent bit in my game story, but after you finish reading that, come on back for a few notes and quotes:

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Habs shut out Ovechkin, fend off Caps' late rally

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:49:22 +0000

WASHINGTON(AP) Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec scored in a three-minute span early in the second period, Michael Cammalleri added a goal in the third, and the Montreal Canadiens withstood a furious comeback to beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Friday night.

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Habs withstand Caps comeback; Moen, Plekanec and Cammalleri score in 3-2 win

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:38:01 +0000

WASHINGTON - Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec scored in a three-minute span early in the second period and Michael Cammalleri added a goal in the third as the Montreal Canadiens withstood a furious comeback to beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on ...

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NHL Capsules

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:31:02 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) -Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec scored in a three-minute span early in the second period, Michael Cammalleri added a goal in the third, and the Montreal Canadiens withstood a furious comeback to beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on...

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Canadiens withstand Capitals' late assault, 3-2

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:27:34 +0000

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Canadiens withstand comeback, beat Capitals 3-2

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:01:40 +0000

Travis Moen and Tomas Plekanec scored in a three-minute span early in the second period, Michael Cammalleri added a goal in the third, and the Montreal Canadiens withstood a furious comeback to beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Friday night.

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Canadiens hold off Caps' comeback bid (AP)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:59:57 +0000

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Poti suffers upper-body injury

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:55:44 +0000

Tom Poti left tonight's game early in the second period with an upper-body injury. The Caps won't comment on the nature or extent of the ailment, other than to say that the defenseman is day to day. Coach Bruce Boudreau said the Caps would likely need to recall someone from Hershey. Boudreau also said he doesn't expect Alexander Semin to make tomorrow's road trip to Toronto.

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Price blanks Ovechkin as Canadiens edge Caps

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:54:36 +0000

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Tonight's lineup: Canadiens at Caps

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:28:30 +0000

Michal Neuvirth will make his season debut tonight at Verizon Center as the Caps look to win their second straight game and for the sixth time in their past seven contests. Carey Price, meanwhile, will get the nod for the Canadiens. The Caps, as you know by now, are really banged up. They're so banged up, in fact, owner Ted Leonsis blogged about it earlier today: No Alexander Semin; Mike Knuble; Boyd Gordon; Quintin Laing; Milan Jurcina; Shaone Morrisonn. Jose Theodore is out for a few days and, of course, Michael Nylander is deciding where he wants to play. It is funny. That is about $20 million in payroll not in the lineup. With that said, here's what the Caps' lineup should look like: Forwards Ovechkin-Backstrom-Fleischmann Laich-Morrison-Clark Steckel-Perreault-Fehr Sloan-Beagle-Bradley Defense Schultz-Green Poti-Carlson Erskine-Pothier Goalies Neuvirth Varlamov I'll have more after the game.

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Neuvirth to start vs. Montreal

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:15:13 +0000

Michal Neuvirth will make his first start of the season against the Canadiens tonight, Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He had a great training camp and then got hurt," Boudreau said. "We wanted to see him play." The 21-year-old's last start in Washington was a 5-2 loss to Carolina March 3. Neuvirth will be backed up Semyon Varlamov.

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Carlson's sleepy, but ready

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:08:38 +0000

With less than eight hours to go before his NHL debut, defenseman John Carlson stood in the dressing room at KCI this morning and joked about how he didn't get much sleep last night. But don't worry he said with a big smile, his relative lack of shut-eye won't be an issue on home ice tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. "I'll try to get as much as I can today," the 19 year old said when asked if he planned to squeeze in a nap. "I'm just happy right now, but I'm sure I'll be nervous. I just want to go out there and play with confidence." Carlson will be paired with Tom Poti, the most senior of the Caps' blueliners. Carlson, who grew up in New Jersey, said his father Richard, mother Angela and older brother Andrew will be in attendance. "I always believed that [veterans] are a steadying

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Morning roundup: Carlson makes his debut

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:44:49 +0000

(John McDonnell/The Washington Post) Defenseman John Carlson will be out to prove he's right where he belongs when he makes his NHL debut for the Capitals tonight against the Canadiens. "It's always interesting when you see guys get their first taste and see how they react to a situation because some guys, they look like deer in the headlights," assistant coach Bob Woods said. "He looks like he's been here all year so far." Tonight's matchup: Montreal Canadiens (10-11) Washington Capitals (13-4-4) Verizon Center, 7 p.m. TV: Comcast SportsNet Radio: 820 AM, 1500 AM

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Boudreau keeps expectations for Carlson in check

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:14:40 +0000

Now that six Washington Capitals are nursing injuries with a four-games-in-six-nights stretch set to begin tomorrow at home against Montreal, the big story of the day at KCI was the re-appearance of 2008 first-round pick John Carlson, called up from Hershey last night thanks to the bumps and bruises along the Capitals' blue line. The 19-year-old made an impression on the organization when he made his professional debut last spring during the Bears' Calder Cup run, and followed it up by making himself a tough cut during this year's training camp. Carlson, listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, has 10 points and is tied for the team lead with a +14 rating through 17 games with the Bears this season. Carlson will likely be paired with Tom Poti when he plays his first NHL game tomorrow night, but Coach Bruce Boudreau wants to make sure Carlson -- and fans -- don't

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Caps recall Carlson

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:41:08 +0000

With defensemen Milan Jurcina and Shaone Morrisonn nicked up, the Capitals have recalled first-round pick John Carlson from Hershey. He's here at Kettler skating with Tom Poti during beginning-of-practice drills. How big of a deal is this? Well, owner Ted Leonsis has joined General Manager George McPhee in the management box perched above the ice here in Arlington for a bit. He's not usually a fixture at practice. Jurcina, Morrisonn (who was on the ice for a few minutes during warmups, but then left), Alexander Semin and Boyd Gordon are all not practicing today.

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Morning roundup: Semin sidelined

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:07:51 +0000

(Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) An MRI exam on Alexander Semin's right wrist did not reveal any structural damage, but the winger is listed as day to day (don't you love that term?) and GM George McPhee said it's unclear when he'll return. "The wrist got sore [but] it's not from a blow or anything," McPhee said. "He just tweaked it." Alex Ovechkin returned to the lineup Tuesday and helped the Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers, but with Semin sidelined, they are now without four forwards from the opening night roster. Mike Knuble (broken finger), Boyd Gordon (sore back) and Quintin Laing (broken jaw) are also out. Semin, who is listed as day to day, is believed to have been injured when he was hit by a Florida player as he unleashed a wrist shot Nov. 6. He played through the injury because the

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Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:07:51 +0000

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Caps' Laing has broken jaw, Semin questionable

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:46:09 +0000

The Washington Capitals expect left wing Quintin Laing to miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, while left wing Alexander Semin is questionable with a right wrist injury. Laing was hurt in Tuesday's win over the New York Rangers. He had metal plates inserted into his jaw during surgery. Semin missed the Rangers game and was wearing a brace on his wrist Wednesday. An MRI exam revealed no serious damage.

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Washington Capitals left winger Quintin Laing out up to six weeks; left winger Alexander Semin questionable

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:29:03 +0000

The Capitals expect left winger Quintin Laing to miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, while left winger Alexander Semin is questionable with a right wrist injury.

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Capitals lose Laing (6 weeks) and Semin to injury

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:21:48 +0000

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- The Washington Capitals expect left wing Quintin Laing to miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, while left wing Alexander Semin is questionable with a right wrist injury.

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Capitals' Laing has broken jaw, Semin questionable

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:11:01 +0000

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -The Washington Capitals expect left wing Quintin Laing to miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw, while left wing Alexander Semin is questionable with a right wrist injury. Laing was hurt in Tuesday's win over the New York R...

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Updates on Semin, Laing and Theodore

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:28:47 +0000

Alexander Semin arrived at KCI after his teammates practiced wearing a new brace on his right wrist (the type with Velcro straps on it). An MRI revealed nothing serious, GM George McPhee said. But the Caps' second-most dangerous goal scorer might be forced to miss this weekend's games against Montreal and Toronto, McPhee conceded. "It's not from a blow or anything," McPhee said. "He just tweaked it. He's day to day and will be ready to go when he's ready to go."

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Updates from practice: Semin hurt

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:52:36 +0000

Tarik's running to talk to GMGM, so here are a few updates via Twitter: * Jose Theodore is on the ice for practice after missing yesterday's game for family reasons. * Many players are taking their option not to skate today, including Alexander Semin, who missed last night's game with a wrist injury. * No update on Alexander Semin's status yet. Hope to have one soon. He just walked back into KCI, presumably from doctor's office. * Coach Bruce Boudreau said Sean Avery talked trash to him for the entire warmup last night at MSG. The comments were mostly about BB's book. * Defenseman Milan Jurcina (lower body) skated on his own this morning. So he's making progress. * Quintin Laing had plates inserted into his jaw last night in NYC. Bruce Boudreau hopes he'll be back sooner than expected. * Chris Clark on Quintin Laing: "It's like he plays

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Washington Capitals 2009-2010 First Quarter Report

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:54:27 +0000

The Washington Capitals are off to a hot start for the 2009-2010 NHL season. Traditionally, the Caps have been slow-starters, waiting until December (or later) to make a run up the standings. This season, they have started 13-4-4, and are currently sitting atop the Eastern conference standings (though New Jersey and Buffalo have games in hand). Begin Slideshow

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Morning roundup: Bradley steals the spotlight

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:22:08 +0000

(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Matt Bradley got into a fight that left him with a gash over his left eye in the first period, then scored the go-ahead goal in the Caps' 4-2 win over the Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden. Oh yeah, and Alex Ovechkin returned: Ovechkin also tallied on Tuesday in his anticipated return from a six-game absence with an injury, but it was Bradley's clutch, Ovechkin-like goal that everyone was toasting in the visitors' dressing room at Madison Square Garden afterward. "Bradley was our MVP of the night," said defenseman Brian Pothier, whose empty-net goal with 17 seconds left clinched the win. "His fight changed the momentum of the game and scores the goal that seals the deal for us. Every time he had the puck he was doing something with it. And when he didn't have it, he was hitting someone. He was great

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NHL Capsules

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:01:01 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -Matt Bradley bounced back from having his face bloodied in a first-period fight to net the winning goal with 4:51 left, and Alex Ovechkin also scored in his return from injury to lift the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over t...

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NHL: Ovechkin Making His Return Against New York Rangers Tonight

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:55:13 +0000

Out for six games with an upper-body injury, it Washington Capital superstar Alexander Ovechkin returned to play against the New York Rangers tonight. The star scored his league-leading 15th goal of the season and the Capitals beat the Rangers 4-2. According to the AP, Ovechkin skated at the team’s practice this morning and was “expected to be in the lineup” tonight at Madison Square Garden. With Ovechkin out of the lineup, the Caps remained solid on the money line, going 4-2 SU and are -105 for tonight’s game while the Rangers are -115. The total is set at 6. Watch Tonight's Live Game: Washington Capitals Vs. New York Rangers Read more NHL news on BleacherReport.com

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Caps 4, Rangers 2

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:48:26 +0000

The night was supposed to belong to Alex Ovechkin. Instead, it belonged to Matt Bradley. As I wrote in my gamer story (which can be found here), Bradley was the Capitals' catalyst in a 4-2 victory over the Rangers tonight. The fourth line winger scored the winner and suffered a pretty bad gash over his left eye in afight with Aaron Voros. But, as I mentioned in an earlier post, it was Quintin Laing's face that got the really bad beating tonight. Laing, if you have not seen the update, suffered a broken jaw when he went down and blocked a shot with his face in the third period. For those keeping score at home, Laing has now suffered a torn spleen, contracted swine flu and sustained a broken jaw in the past in nine months. (He also walks with a permanent limp, presumably from blocking all those shots).

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Ovechkin tops Gaborik and Rangers in return

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:38:38 +0000

Alex Ovechkin gave the Capitals an immediate impact in his return. Playing for the first time in two weeks, A.O. scored his 15th goal of the season as the Capitals beat the Rangers 4-2.

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N.H.L. Roundup: Predators Beat Sharks for Seventh Win in Nine Games

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:19:28 +0000

Goalie Jose Theodore left the Washington Capitals on Tuesday before their game with the Rangers to travel home for personal reasons.

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Rangers can't outgun Capitals

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:01:27 +0000

Marian Gaborik scored twice for the Rangers - including the game-tying goal with 11:37 to play in regulation - but Matt Bradley delivered the dagger 4:51 from the end, scoring a breakaway goal to send the Blueshirts to a 4-2 loss.

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Ovechkin scores in his return from injury; Capitals beat Rangers 4-2

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:38:01 +0000

NEW YORK - Matt Bradley bounced back from having his face bloodied in a first-period fight to score the winning goal with 4:51 left, and Alex Ovechkin also scored in his return from injury to lift the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over t...

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Ovechkin tops Gaborik and Rangers in return

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:21:09 +0000

Washington went 4-2 while Ovechkin was out, then beat New York despite missing top forward Alexander Semin, who was sidelined ...

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Ovechkin Tops Gaborik and Rangers in Return

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:10:22 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -- Matt Bradley bounced back from having his face bloodied in a first-period fight to net the winning goal with 4:51 left, and Alex Ovechkin also scored in his return from injury to lift the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

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Bradley downs Rangers as Ovie scores in return

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:02:18 +0000

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Ovechkin tops Gaborik and Rangers in return

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:01:51 +0000

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Ovechkin scores in return, Capitals win (AP)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:57:54 +0000

Matt Bradley bounced back from having his face bloodied in a first-period fight to net the winning goal with 4:51 left, and Alex Ovechkin also scored in his return from injury to lift the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. Bradley went to the dressing room with 9:21 left in the opening period after taking several hard blows to the face from New...

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Laing update

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:57:19 +0000

Coach Bruce Boudreau said he thinks Quintin Laing suffered a broken jaw when he was struck in the face by a Michal Rozsival shot in the third period. The team has not provided an official diagnosis yet, but Boudreau said Laing will remain in New York overnight for observation.

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Ovechkin back in lineup for Capitals vs. Rangers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:51:01 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) -Alex Ovechkin was back in the Washington Capitals lineup on Tuesday night after the star forward missed two weeks because of an injury. The two-time NHL MVP practiced with his teammates on Tuesday morning and came through that and...

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NHL Penalty Shot: Changes Coming Soon?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:50:15 +0000

I don't usually write about hockey, but I was watching a game the other night and one of the commentators made a rather interesting point. While on the powerplay, a player on one of the teams (I fail to remember which teams were playing) was tripped up on a breakaway. A penalty shot was immediately called for. But why not give the team about to have a penalty shot the choice of whether take the shot, or have the defensive team lose a man to the sin bin? Think about it. For the sake of example, imagine a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals (see picture above). Now let's say that while on the powerplay, Mats Sundin is hooked or tripped up on a breakaway. A penalty shot is called. But what if the Leafs would prefer to have a 2-man advantage for a lengthy period of time? Should't that be an option for them, rather than being forced to have a player take a one-time penalty shot? Or, what if the tables were turned. What if the Capitals, on the penalty kill, have a ...

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin returns to lineup against Rangers; Semin sits out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:47:32 +0000

Alex Ovechkin is in the Washington Capitals lineup against the New York Rangers after missing two weeks because of an injury.

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Tonight's lineup: Caps at Rangers

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:58:31 +0000

Semyon Varlamov will start in goal in Alex Ovechkin's return to the Caps' lineup tonight at Madison Square Garden. Henrik Lundqvist, meantime, will get the nod for the Rangers. Alexander Semin is out with what's believed to be a right wrist injury, which means minor league call-up Jay Beagle is in. Michal Neuvirth will be on the bench because Jose Theodore is back in Arlington tending to a personal matter. The rest of the Caps' scrambled lineup should look like this: Forwards Ovechkin-Backstrom-Clark Fleischmann-Morrison-Laich Perreault-Steckel-Fehr Laing-Beagle-Bradley Scratches: Semin, Gordon (back). Defense Morrisonn-Green Schultz-Poti Erskine-Pothier Scratches: Jurcina (IR), Sloan (healthy) Goalies Varlamov Neuvirth I'll have more after the game.

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Ovechkin back for Caps, but Semin sits

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:55:00 +0000

NEW YORK -- One Alex is back in for the Washington Capitals tonight at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers, but the other is out. As expected, Alex Ovechkin is returning to the lineup for the first time since suffering an upper body strai...

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Semin sent home to see doctor

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:01:44 +0000

The Caps have gained one Russian winger and lost another. Alex Ovechkin will return against the Rangers tonight, but Alexander Semin was sent home to Arlington to see a doctor, Coach Bruce Boudreau said. Although the Caps are officially calling Semin day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, it's pretty obvious that he's got a bad right wrist. He appeared to suffer the injury last week against Florida when he was hit by Keith Ballard as he unleashed a shot, and has been wearing a tight wrap around it ever since. The winger played through the wrist injury (and other bumps and bruises) while Ovechkin was out, but apparently the wrist was not improving. It's unclear how much time he'll miss. The Caps don't play again until Friday.

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Washington's Ovechkin ready to face N.Y. Rangers tonight

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:51:28 +0000

Alex Ovechkin isn't saying for sure, but all signs suggest his injury absence is over and he'll play against the New York Rangers.

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