Shaone Morrisonn News

TORONTO -- Saturday got off to an unsettling start for the Washington Capitals -- and it didn't get any better.

The Capitals arrived almost 12 hours late because of problems with their charter plane, then buckled beneath a sloppy defense and suspect goaltending in a 6-3 to the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs that an exasperated Coach Bruce Boudreau called 'a complete team letdown.'

'You get a 2-0 lead real early, it looks easy and you let up,' Boudreau said. 'We had a couple more chances that we were way too casual on. And then all of a sudden they get one, then they get two, and now they're sitting over there like, 'Hey, boys, let's go.' '

The Washington Capitals still have holes in their roster thanks to some long-term injuries -- Mike Knuble, Boyd Gordon and Quintin Laing will all be out for at least another week -- but those holes are up front.

TV/radio: CSN, AM-1500 Goalies: Capitals - Semyon Varlamov or Jose Theodore . Lightning - Antero Niittymaki or Mike Smith Injuries: Capitals - Out: RW Mike Knuble , LW Quintin Laing , C Boyd Gordon .

Alex Ovechkin scored two goals in his return from a two-game suspension and the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 12th consecutive time, 3-0 on Monday night.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Washington Capitals' biggest ally Saturday night wore orange and black.

After Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo sucker-punched Matt Bradley late in the first period, the Capitals' power play struck back with even more force, scoring three times on the ensuing nine-minute advantage to key a surprisingly easy 8-2 victory at Wachovia Center.

The victory stretched the Capitals' winning streak to five games and ruined Peter Laviolette's debut behind the Flyers' bench.

The Flyers believe they were built this offseason to make a run at a Stanley Cup championship.

Alexander Semin had two goals and two assists in his return from a wrist injury and the Washington Capitals hardly missed the suspended Alex Ovechkin , beating the Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

If you toss out his two rocky outings at the start of the season, Semyon Varlamov is 8-1-2 with a 1.94 GAA.

The Washington Capitals won the game but may have lost their star. Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and an assist while added a goal and an assist, leading the Capitals past the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Monday night in a game left early with an apparent knee injury.

The first-place Washington Capitals will visit the lowly Carolina Hurricanes tonight when the Southeast Division rivals meet for a battle at RBC Center.

Could it be? A player is walking out of the team clinic rather than limping into it? Yes, it appears to be true.

The Capitals knew they were taking a chance when they handed the starting goaltending duties to Semyon Varlamov during last season's playoffs.

Tonights Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadians show down will feature for the Caps a season debut and a NHL debut.

Some elite teams in action during Friday night's six games. The Capitals, standing atop the East, put their 10-4-7 regulation record up against the Canadiens' dismal 2-11-8 regulation mark.

OTTAWA -- Depleted by injuries to nearly a third of the lineup, and weary from playing two games in two countries on back-to-back nights, the Washington Capitals were granted a reprieve Sunday.

Unfortunately for them, having a day off from practice to rest and regroup at a plush resort in suburban Ottawa might not do much to aid an injury-ravaged roster.

The Capitals could again be without seven players who were on the opening-night roster when they play the Senators at Scotiabank Place on Monday.

The Washington Capitals may be sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings, but the Ottawa Senators will be coming in as the hotter team when these two clubs face off this evening at Scotiabank Place.

Fresh off a loss at home to the Montreal Canadiens, the Washington Capitals didn't exactly waltz into the Air Canada Centre this morning and figure two points are there for the taking tonight.

With 19 seconds remaining in the game and trailing by one, Mike Green hit the right post flush and the puck gently came to rest underneath Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, and the Washington Capitals' best chance to tie up a game they struggled in was whistled dead.A Two ensuing faceoffs provided no more help, and the Caps A fell 3-2 before a ...

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.

Just when the Washington Capitals' injury situation appeared to be improving, things have taken an unexpected turn for the worse.

Alexander Semin, the team's second most dangerous goal-scoring threat, arrived at Kettler Capitals Iceplex following practice on Wednesday wearing a new brace on his 'sore' right wrist.

General Manager George McPhee said an MRI exam did not reveal any structural damage but conceded that Semin, who was sidelined Tuesday in New York, might miss this weekend's games against Montreal and Toronto as well.