There was a ton of talk pre-trade deadline about the need of the Washington Capitals to improve their goal tending.  Not here.  You didn't get that here.  In reality, the goalies that were available, wouldn't have been a significant upgrade enough to justify what would have likely been given up to nab either Tomas Vokoun or Tim Thomas.   The deadline moves are proving to not only be popular, but have jelled nicely with the Caps.

Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov now set off to prove the trust from the Caps organization was well placed.  They have done well so far, helping the Caps post a 3-0 record since the Olympic Break and trade deadline expiration.  Specifically, Theodore is making the case for the full time starting role.

That's the latest in a string of strong performances that has put the 33-year-old in firm control of the No. 1 spot. The numbers since Jan. 13 -- the day Washington began a franchise-record 14-game winning streak -- are revealing. Theodore is 12-0-2 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. Over a full season, that save percentage would rank third in the NHL and the goals-against average would be tied for 10th.

Corvo's place in Washington is going well.  He is able to record good minutes, reducing Mike Green's work load, therefore keeping Green fresher.

"It's good," Green said. "If we're on the power play a lot, it tires me out a little bit, and then five on five, it's difficult to be effective defensively. It's good to have another defenseman who can step up and play some of those minutes."

CAPS BLOG UPDATE . . . Good read from On Frozen Blog.  Alex Ovechkin is still down about the Olympic loss.  Today's Caps Clips.  Homer let's you get to know new Cap Eric Belanger a little better.

GAME PREVIEWS . . . Dallas Star Telegram, Sporting News, Caps Nut, NHL.com, Capital Spirit, Capital Gains,

CAPS STREAKS . . .

*  The Capitals have won 13 straight home games.  They have won 3 consecutive games.  The last Caps loss was in 2009 at the Verizon Center.

*  Eric Fehr has points in 3 straight games.

*  Jose Theodore has won 2 straight.

WoooooHoooo!  Make it 14 in a row, on National TV, with an Alex Ovechkin hat trick!  And dammit, I was suppose to be there and never made it.  But, I will take this beat down over the Pens with an Ovie hat trick any day.  Folks, this game was Super Bowl worthy, period!

What a game it was, despite just awful, awful coverage from NBC.  The NHL really has to put up and grovel back to ESPN, because NBC is simply horrendous.

The game did not start out all that well for the Caps as the NBC love-fest for everything Pens and Crosby got under way quickly 2 goals in the first period from Sidney Crosby.  Even though the Caps out shot the Pens in the first period, the two Crosby marker sent the Caps to the locker room with a 2-0 deficit.

Alexander Ovechkin scored his first of three, his 40th of the year, at the 9 minute mark of the second period.  It was a beautiful breakaway engineered by none other than Jeff Schultz, finding the open and streaking Ovechkin.  Schultzie has had the knack this season of finding the breakaways and making the perfect passes.  Then things went down hill, temporarily for the Caps, as Jordan Staal scored twice within 2 minutes of each, to give the Pens a stunning 4-1 lead.  But, as we have seen many, many times this year, you can never, ever count the Capitals out of any game.

Eric Fehr scored his 14th of the year to pull the Caps to within 2 at the end of the second period, Caps trailing 4-2.

Count the third period as pure Alex Ovechkin.  Ovechkin scored his 41st goal close to the 7 minute mark to pull within 4-3.  Later in the third period, Ovechkin took hard shot and look to be shaken up.  He came back on the ice and pounded away the game tying goal on the face off to send the Verizon Center into pandemonium. It was Ovechkin's first hat trick of the year, the Caps first hat trick of the year, on National TV, and right in front of Pittsburgh's #87.  Could it get anymore perfect than that.  And to think, Crosby did not even cry to the officials to tell fans to stop throwing hats this year.  Amazing.

Then in overtime, it was Ovechkin again, this time rocketing a shot at Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fluery, who let a rebound go and Mike Knuble, in front of the net, poked it in for the game winner.

Instead of just bashing Pittsburgh, let's instead say what we should say.  This was an outstandingly impressive display of hockey, on National TV on Super Bowl day.  It was a great game from start to finish, with both Superstar shining.  It was a good day for the NHL.  It was a great day for the Washington Capitals as they extended their impressive winning streak to 14 straight wins.  BUT, even better, it was the greatest day for the Washington faithful who managed to get to the Verizon Center.  Kudos to you all, we heard the loudness, we heard the Fury!

Great game again by Jose Theodore, by far, the superior goalie in Washington right now.  Yeah he gave uyp 4 goals.  But, this was Pittsburgh.  He made some sensational saves that saved the Caps becaise of poor turnovers.  It was not the best day for the Caps defense

What a great day for these Washington Capitals.

Multi-Point Scorers:

Nicklas Backstrom, 2 assists

Mike Knuble, 1 goal, 1 assist

Alexander Ovechkin, 3 goals, 1 assist

DCPSR Player of the Game:  ALEXANDER OVECHKIN

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