Nicklas Backstrom News

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.

Washington center Nicklas Backstrom piled up nine points in three games and was selected the No.

NHL on NBC coverage kicks off with the third annual Winter Classic as the Bruins host the Flyers outdoors at Fenway Park, New Year's Day at 1 p.m. ET.

Opponents of the Washington Capitals don't necessarily catch a break just because Alex Ovechkin isn't in the lineup.

Canadiens goalie Carey Price slides across the crease to stop Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin during the shoot-out of last night's game in Montreal.

Despite outstanding production from Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals have struggled in their recent visits to the RBC Center.

Nicklas Backstrom scored the lone goal in the shootout to help the Washington Capitals defeat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Saturday night at Bell Centre, but not before Fehr first saved them in regulation with his second goal of the night.

Washington Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom, left, of Sweden, scores the winning goal on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price during overtime penalty shootout in NHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday Nov.

When Mathieu Perreault found out he was going to join the Washington Capitals, he was told it might be only for two games but - just in case - to pack for a week.

Nicklas Backstrom attempts a wrap around on goalie Brian Elliott in the first period as the Ottawa Senators meet the Washington Capitals in NHL action at Scotiabank Place November 23, 2009.

An opportunistic foe and an offense that got started too late led to only the second regulation loss at Verizon Center this season for the Washington Capitals .

Record: 13-4-4, 30 points Leading scorers: Alex Ovechkin 15-9-24, Nicklas Backstrom 4-18-22, Brooks Laich 9-11-20, Mike Green 3-17-20. The skinny: The Caps already are running away with the Southeast Division and they've even done some of the damage without Ovechkin; the back-to-back Hart Trophy winner missed six games with an upper-body strain.

Got an idea for the Leafs? Log on for Damien Cox's live chat Monday at noon at www.thestar.com/sports . T he plan was to suffocate Alex Ovechkin.

Read up on the latest tidbits and trends as Hockey Night in Canadaa s play-by-play voice Jim Hughson takes you behind the scenes and into the game.

Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin returned to the lineup after a six-game absence due to an upper-body strain.

NEWARK -- The NHL's most electrifying player is set to make his anticipated return in a most fitting place: under Broadway's bright lights.

Alex Ovechkin wore his familiar red jersey during practice Monday morning, the surest sign yet that the two-time MVP, who is tied for the league lead in goals with 14, is ready to return to the Washington Capitals' lineup after being sidelined for six games.

'As of today he is,' Boudreau said when asked if Ovechkin would play Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. 'I think he's fine. 'He practiced today [so] there's a good probability of it happening.'

Two-time reigning league MVP Alex Ovechkin appears set to return from his injury layoff when the Washington Capitals visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Sheesh. The Wild win 5-2 and the game isn't even on TV. Went over to a friend's house who has Center Ice package, and the power went out right after the Wild went up 2-1, and stayed off the rest of the game.

Stream live Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild >> Watch live stream Washington Capitals VS Minnesota Wild NHL, United States of America 13 November, 2009 7:00 PM ET Last 10 matches: Minnesota 5-4-1; Washington 7-1-2 Its not yet Thanksgiving in the nation's capital and the Capitals stand poised to run away with the Southeast Division unless ...