The Washington Capitals have recalled G Semyon Varlamov from Hershey.  Varlamov has been out with a knee injury since December 7th.  He made a rehab start in Hershey this weekend, recording 26 saves in a 5-4 Bears win over Adirondack.

The Washington Capitals have benefited from a dynamic duo of veteran Jose Theodore and rookie Michal Neuvirth between the pipes during this incredible 14 game winning streak.

Now Varly makes his return.  Varlamov has posted a 12-1 record this season with a GAA of 2.21 and a save percentage of .920.  The interesting question looming here is, how does Varlamov fit into the current chemistry between the pipes?  Does Neuvirth, despite sensational play in the Net, return to Hershey?  Should he?  If not, how does HC Bruce Boudreau balance three goalies playing time, particularly with veteran Jose Theodore playing the best net minding of his Washington Capitals tenure?

One thing is clear, between Varlamov, Neuvirth, and Hershey's spectacular goalie Braden Holtby, the Caps are loaded at young talent between the pipes.  It will be interesting to watch how this turns out.  There is no doubt, the success Neuvirth has had during Varlamov's injury most certainly ramps pressure up on #40, both from a play perspective and a staying healthy perspective.

Enjoy Coach Boudreau.  Dicsuss it.

With many of their special teams units languishing near the bottom of league rankings, the Redskins hired an assistant coach to work the Special Teams Coach Danny Smith. Richard Hightower coached wide receivers for the University of Minnesota last year, but he will assist Smith on the Redskins staff in 2010.

"We knew we would need someone with a lot of energy to keep up with Danny Smith, and Richard is that coach," executive vice president/head coach Mike Shanahan said. "He has both youth and experience, and he will be a great asset to our special teams and our organization."

If you're wondering where the connection to Shanahan might be, look no further than the Houston Texans, where Redskins Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan coached the past few years. Hightower was a coaching administrator [whatever that is] in 2005 and 2006 and a special teams assistant coach in 2007-08 before moving on to his most recent job with the University of Minnesota.

Hightower was a walk-on player at the University of Texas, where he played as a defensive back, wide receiver, and, of course, on special teams.

Hightower has no connection to Danny Smith that I can find, meaning he's a Shanahan guy, not a Danny Smith guy. In other words, it might be a good idea for Smith to improve the efficiency of his special teams; a replacement for his job is already on the payroll.

The amazing season of Alexander Ovechkin continues.  He is on target to have his best season of his career; amazing, considering he missed 8 games.

Ovechkin now has 42 goals.  He has as many points in goals scored as the entire Edmonton Oilers have in standing points.

He leads the NHL with 42 goals.

He leads the NHL with 86 points.

He leads the NHL in Plus/Minus with a +41.

He leads the NHL in Shots on Goal with 266.

He leads the NHL in road goals scored.

He leads the NHL in goals per game, with .82.

His is 3rd in the NHL in home goals scored.

He is tied for 4th in power play goals.

He is tied for 4th in power play assists.

Ovechkin is 18 goals shy of 60 goals for the season.  There are 23 games left in the season.  He is 23 goals shy of his career high (2007/08 - 65) and he is 10 assists shy of his career high (2008/09 & 2005/06 - 54).  His 86 total points puts him 26 points shy of his career high in total points (2007/08).  He is a +41 and is currently +13 higher than his career high (2007/08 - +28).

Currently, Ovechkin has a 7 game scoring streak.  Over that streak, Ovechkin has scored 8 goals and 7 assists.

Ovechkin was suspended on DEC 1 on a knee to knee hit on Tim Gleasen.  Since that suspension, Ovechkin has played in 30 games, starting on December 7th.  In that 30 game stretch, Ovie has tallied 24 goals and added 32 assists with a +28 plus/minus rating.  He has averaged 1.87 points per game.

Ovechkin was on a complete tear in the month of January racking up 9 goals and 17 assists with a +16 rating in 15 games.  The question is, can he eclipse those monthly totals?  Well, he is off to a sensational start in February.  In 4 games, he has scored in each of the 4 games and has multiple points in 3 of the 4 games.  For February, Ovechkin has tallied 7 goals and 3 assists and is a +6.

The whispers and chants can seemingly get louder.   M    V     P.

It is one of those years, but yet, with Ovechkin, aren't they all?  What better scenario could the Caps faithful have realized yesterday?  Sidney Crosby strikes twice in the first period.  In most cases, that is completely deflating (at least Mike Milbury thought so).  Not at the Verizon Center.  Caps faithful have seen all too often how Great 8 can single handidly turn around a game that appeared to be slipping from the Sea of Red.

With two periods of hockey to play, Alexander Ovechkin took control.  Not only did the Caps faithful get to see Ovechkin pull the Caps back in from a 4-1 deficit, but they got to see the first Hat Trick of the season for the Caps, on home ice, with Sidney Corsby watching, on national TV, against the hated Pittsburgh Penguins.  How does that get any better?

Great 8 simply has Great HART!

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Lots of Mock Drafts updated this morning, over 25. We also added 6 new mocks to the database. The HUGE weekly mock munch will be posted on WED or THUR. But for now, let’s give you a sneak peak on the Top 9 based on the 21 mocks updated between 2/7 and 2/8. Whether these 21 latest mocks show movement or trends in the Top 9 picks is left to be scene in the bigger picture on WED or THUR.

But, here is the breakdown of these 21 mock drafts for Picks 1 through 9 . . .

LINK

Courtesy of Big Stein, video of Capitals GM George McPhee taking the Metro to the game at the Phone Booth yesterday.

The New Orleans Saints.

Super Bowl Champs.  First time in franchise history.  We congratulate the Saints and the City of New Orleans.

"You can tell when he's having one of his days, and when he's having one of his days. Days when I see that his recovery rate is unbelievable. He sits on the bench for 30 seconds and I know he wants to go again."

HC Bruce Boudreau on Alexander Ovechkin

Here you go, the Ovechkin hat trick via video for your enjoyment.  Enjoyment it was!

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