Nicklas Backstrom News

Alex Ovechkin scored his 24th goal Wednesday and added two assists in carrying the Washington Capitals to a 5-2 victory over Buffalo.

Nicklas Backstrom had two goals, Alex Ovechkin added a goal and two assists and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Wednesday night in a battle of division leaders.

A pair of first-place clubs will clash tonight in D.C., as the Washington Capitals welcome the Buffalo Sabres for a battle at Verizon Center.

Alex Ovechkin handles the puck during Saturday's game at Rexall Place. Photograph by: Bruce Edwards, The Journal, Edmonton Journal It is worth celebrating the fact there is still far more Moscow street corner than Madison Avenue in Alexander Ovechkin.

Sniper Alex Ovechkin is one of two Capitals ranked in the top 10 in league scoring.

Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom has been a quiet force playing alongside superstar Alex Ovechkin this season.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- After watching the Edmonton Oilers hold his team scoreless through two periods, Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau resorted to his last option: He closed the door to the visitors' dressing room at Rexall Place and blasted his best players.

Alex Ovechkin took his coach's words to heart, then went out and scored twice in the first 6 minutes 37 seconds of the third period, sparking a 4-2 victory that ended the Capitals' 13-year drought in this building.

'I don't like yelling at [Ovechkin], but sometimes you see guys who look tired and down and they need a little boost,' Boudreau said. 'I tried to give it to him and challenged him. I started him right off the bat. Instead of saying, 'Woe is me, why is the coach yelling at me?' he took up the challenge and said, 'I'll show you,' and went out there and got three points in the third and led us to a victory.'

NHL Washington Capital superstar Alexander Ovechkin signs 2010 Signature Series memorabilia at the Olympic Superstore, The Bay Downtown in Vancouver on Wednesday December 17, 2009.

Matt Stajan had two goals and an assist to help Toronto beat the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Saturday night, giving the Maple Leafs three straight wins at home for the first time since January 2008.

Tomas Fleischmann scored two goals and former Colorado goalie Jose Theodore stopped 27 shots for Washington, which boosted its league-best goals average to 3.65 per game.

Tomas Fleischmann scored two goals, Jose Theodore stopped 27 shots and the Washington Capitals routed the Colorado Avalanche 6-1 on Tuesday night.

The Washington Capitals travel to Colorado to take on the Avalanche on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center.

Washington -- With one deft swing of his stick, Mike Green atoned for a turnover that enabled lowly Carolina to forge a third-period tie with the Washington Capitals.

The Washington Capitals are already atop the Eastern Conference, and now they have a chance to get even better.

The Washington Capitals will try to get a four-game road trip off to a quick start when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Air Canada Centre.

Leafs make Capital gains Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals during action December 12, 2009 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Blackhawks celebrate staying on top of Michael Obernauer's weekly NHL power rankings.

Ryan Miller made 35 saves for his 16th career shutout, Nathan Gerbe scored his first NHL goal, and the Buffalo Sabres halted Washington's six-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory over the league-leading Capitals on Wednesday night.

Olli Jokinen has convinced the Flames faithful that he can be counted on during crunch time.

Alex Ovechkin, two-time NHL MVP, the league's most dynamic offensive presence and biggest lightning rod, was suspended for two games last week for a knee-on-knee hit on Carolina's Tim Gleason last Monday.