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.

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.

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

DISCUSS in our New Forums

The Washington Capitals make it 12 in a row, with a wild 6-5 win over the New York Rangers.  Nicklas Backstrom had his 3rd career 5 point night with a goal and 4 assists and Alexander Ovechkin added 2 goals and an assist to lead the Capitals to victory, their 12th in a row!

The 2009/10 Washington Capitals have re-written franchise record books, beating the 1983-84 franchise win streak two nights ago, winning their 11th straight game, defeating Boston 4-1.  Tonight, the Caps take on the Rangers in New York to try and make it a perfect dozen.

If this is any indication, TV ratings for CSN will be good tonight.  Check out the article from our ever great blogger at the Post, Dan Steinberg at the DC Sports Bog.

Tuesday night's Comcast SportsNet broadcast of the Caps-Bruins game, in which Washington won 11 straight for the first time in franchise history, received a 3.24 average rating in the D.C. market, which translates into about 76,000 households. That was the second-best rating for a regular-season game in the network's history

Through the 52 games it has broadcast on CSN and CSN+, the network is averaging a 1.4 rating in the D.C. market. That's 24 percent higher than through the first 52 games a year ago, and 153 percent better than through the first 52 games of the 2007-08 season, which obviously started with a lot of losses.

What has been amazing is the success they have had, by spreading the scoring around, utilizing an effective power play, solid defense, in most cases, and when the Caps fell flat, like Detroit and Boston, goal tending rose to the task.  The Caps has not been perfect, but when one aspect, such as defense falters a bit, another rises.  A good sign for these a Caps heading into the Olympic Break.

Alexander Semin and Mike Knuble have really turned the offensive throttle up during this streak.  Semin has a 10 game scoring streak that includes 6 goals and 11 assists with 30 shots on goal.  Knuble has 9 goals and 3 assists in 25 shos on goal during this streak.

The Capitals’ second line has been hot. Semin, Tomas Fleischmann, and Brooks Laich have a combined 14 goals and 21 assists over the last 11.

It helps too that confidence on this team is at an all time high. And one thing is pretty clear, none of these guys is going to take sole credit.

" It's really a team thing," said goalie Jose Theodore, who made 41 saves in Tuesday night's 4-1 win over Boston. "The goalie has to be solid, the defensive play has to be there, and the special units. If you look back, some games the power play was the difference, other games the goalies made the big saves and other games it was the PK."

Game Preview:  Official Caps, NHL.com, CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, WashingtonCaps Blog,  Caps Nut

A look at some numbers:

*  The Washington Capitals are an impressive 14-1 under Captain Ovechkin.

*  The Capitals have won 11 consecutive matches.  During those 11 wins, the Caps have won 7 straight at home and 4 straight on the road.

*  Capitals lead the Eastern Conference by 10 points over second place New Jersey and lead the Southeast Division by a whopping 25 points over Tampa Bay.

*  Alexander Semin has a current NHL high 10 game scoring streak.  During that stretch, he has put 30 shots on goal, scored 6 goals and added 11 helpers.

*  During the streak, the goalie tandem of Jose Theodore and Michal Neuvirth has stopped 351 shots of 369 shots on goal for an impressive save percentage of .951.  Want to be more impressed?  Over the last 6 games, they have stopped 188 of 193 shots for a whopping save percentage of .974.  Over the past 6 games, they have allowed 9 goals, a mere average of just 1.5 goals per game.

Caps Reads:

Knuble:  A force in front of the net (DC Examiner)

Do not mess with Alex Ovechkin (Sporting News)

Ted's book in Kindle Edition.  (Teds Take)  By the way Ted, just got the book deleivered from Amazon.com that I ordered on pre-order.  Any suggestion on time to read it?

Caps Clips from Japers' Rink (Japers' Rink)

Here is some on Gabby's book. (Love the Game, Don't like Puck Bunnies)

How high will the Caps soar? (Storming the Crease)

The Washington Capitals embark on a Olympic break compressed brutal schedule, playing 5 games over the next 7 days, including 3 homes games and 2 road games.  Tonight they face the Florida Panthers at the Verizon Center in the midst of a 8 game winning streak. As for the Caps and Alexander Ovechkin, winning 9 in a row is just fine with them.  And don't expect any line up changes.

"We're really just trying to play our own game and not change things," said Caps forward Eric Fehr.

There's no reason to right now. Washington has won 11 of its last 12 games with a lineup that has proven remarkably stable under coach Bruce Boudreau -- known for his penchant for line juggling. All four forward lines have stayed the same since a Jan. 5 game against Montreal. That's 10 games and 25 days.

Game Previews:  Official Caps, NHL.com, Miami Herald, Wash Post, Caps Nut,

Goaltending . . . Michal Neuvirth will likely get the nod tonight as Jose Theodore continues to recover from a hip flexor.  There is no announced starter yet, but we are betting on Neuvy.  Theodore appears to be set from the injury as the Caps optioned Braden Holtby back to Hershey.  As for Theo himself, he is ready to roll.

"I'm really happy with how today went," said Theodore, who has six straight wins. "I worked really hard. I'm going to talk to the medical staff and let them know how I feel and see what they think. I felt better quicker than I thought. Today was a good test. Hopefully I'll be able to back up tomorrow, or play."

Caps Streaks:

*  Capitals have won 8 straight games and 7 in a row at the Verizon Center.

*  Alexander Semin has a 7 game scoring streak and a 3 game goal streak.

*  Brooks Laich has a 3 game scoring streak.

*  Nicklas Backstrom has a 2 game scoring streak.

* Mike Knuble has a 2 game scoring streak and a 2 game goal streak.

*  Jose Theodore has won 6 straight games.

More Caps Links:

NY Daily News puts Caps atop their power Rankings.  (NY Daily News)

Michael Nylander on his way to Finalnd.  (MLive.com)

Ovechkin and Kashirsky are buddies (Winnipeg Free Press)

LA Times recognizes Caps scoring prowess. (LA Times)

The Semin single bullet theory.  (On Frozen Blog)

Caps clips from Japers.  (Japers' Rink)

As alwasy, join in the discussion, JOIN our NEW Forums.

The Washington Capitals have recalled 2008 draft pick G Braden Holtby.  Holtby will backup Michal Neuvirth while Jose Theodore remains listed as day to day.

Theodore left last nights game after the second period because of an undisclosed lower leg injury.  The Caps have him listed day to day.  Semyon Varlamov remains sidelined with a lower leg injury as well.  He has not played for the Caps since December 7th.

Hotlby has been absolutely stellar in Hershey.  He has posted a 15-2-1 record for the first place Bears and has a staggering GAA of 1.82 (first in the AHL) and a save percentage of .935 (second in the AHL).

To make room for Holtby, the Caps have optioned D Karl Alzner back to Hershey.

Discuss it at our new forums

Tonight, the Washington Capitals take their 6 game winning streak into the Big Apple for a show down with the pesky New York Islanders.  Don't expect many changes, nor should you, things are clicking quite well in the Caps world.  Bruce Boudreau may very well be known as a coach willing to shake things up on the ice, but when you are playing this good, you just leave it be.

So Boudreau reunited Alex Ovechkin with Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Knuble on the first line; shifted Tomas Fleischmann from left wing to center on the second line with Laich and Alexander Semin; and placed then-newcomer Jason Chimera with Brendan Morrison and Eric Fehr on the third line. (The fourth line materialized a game later, when Boudreau put Boyd Gordon with David Steckel and Matt Bradley.)

The results since then have been hard to ignore. The league's best offense has become even more prolific, and the Capitals have won nine of their past 10 games. In that span, all the lines have contributed consistently as the team has amassed 49 goals, including 33 at even strength and four from fourth-liners.

"Since we made the trade for Jason and since we've moved [Fleischmann] to the middle, a lot more things have fit," Boudreau said. "I like the chemistry on all four lines. I anticipate this is the way we'll go unless injuries dictate otherwise."

They have fit quite well, catapulting the Caps to first place overall in the Eastern Conference with a 3 point lead over New Jersey and a 19 point lead in the Southeast Division. Wins over Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Phoenix were big measuring sticks for this Club.  In particular, the win over Detroit has to have Cap fans feeling pretty satisfied.  The Caps were out played, out hustled, out shot, and out strategized, but the Caps were NOT out scored.

Tonight, the Capitals face off against a young, quick, and upcoming Islanders team sitting in the 10th spot, just 1 point out of the 8th and final playoff spot.  Quite the swing from last season when the Islanders were buried in last place.

Game Previews:  Official Caps site, NHL.com, Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, Caps Nut,

Caps Special Teams:  Power Play:  The Caps special teams have been a key piece to the 6 game winning streak.  During these 6 games, the Caps power play has experienced as 38% success rate (8 for 21).  Even better for the Caps is the spreading around of power play tallies.  During the 6 game winning streak, the Capitals have scored 8 goals.  Those 8 goals have come from 7 different skaters (Knuble, Fleischmann, Semin, Backstrom (2), Ovechkin, Laich, and Fehr).

Penalty Kill:  Brian McNally has a good article on the penalty kill unit.  Over the last 6 games, the Caps have killed 26 of 30 opportunities, an 86% success rate, not bad.  Even more impressive, the Caps ar a perfect 14 for 14 over the last 3 games.

Caps Streaks:

*  Caps have won 6 straight and 2 in a row on the road.

*  Alex Ovechkin has a 9 game scoring streak, 5 game streak with an assist, and a 2 game goal streak.

*  Alexander Semin had a 5 game scoring streak and 5 game streak with an assist.

*  Tomas Fleischmann has a 2 game scoring streak.

*  Eric Fehr has scored in 2 straight.

*  Shaone Morrisonn has a 2 game scoring streak.

*  Jose Theodore has won 5 in a row.

More Caps links:

Islanders fans, you need to believe.  (Islanders Hockey Blog --- BLOGUIN Partner)

Alexander Semin interview (Russian Hockey Fans)

A look at the NHL treade deadline, with Caps news.  (TSN)

Everyone is up for now.  (Teds Take)

Always a good read from OFB.  (On Frozen Blog)

A look at the math for tonights games.  (Capitals Spirit)

Daily Caps clips. (Japers Rink)

Puckhead gives some NHL thoughts.  (Puckheads Thoughts)

More numbers for tonight.  (Capitals Gains)

Discuss in our Forums

In a much anticipated return of the Caps/Pens rivalry, the Capitals entered the Igloo and defeated the Penguins 6-3.  It was the 5th consecutive win and moved them to 70 points overall, 3 ahead of New Jersey for the Eastern Conference lead.  This week was tagged to be a barometer week for the Caps and so far, of the three big games this week, the Caps are 2-0.  They face Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday.

The Penguins started off the scoring with a complete misplay by Jose Theodore that allowed Sidney Crosby to score and put the Pens up 1-0.  Towaard the end of the first period, Caps struck back with a Mike Knuble goal in front of the net to tie it up at 1-1.  Caps out shot the Penbs 15-10 in the first period.

The scoring got started early in the second period with a nice tap in close to former Cap Brent Johnson by Eric Fehr to put the Caps up 2-1.  It was Fehr's 13th goal of the season.  Less than a minute later, the Pens Nick Johnson tied ti up at 2-2 with his first goal of the year in his first NHL game.  Kris Letang put the Pens up 6 minutes later for a 3-2 Pens lead.  Then Alex Ovechkin struck on the power play with his nasty wrister that went past Johnson.  It was Ovie's 31st of the year and extended his scoring streak to 7 games.  Second period ended with a 3-3 tie and the Pens out shot the Caps 12-9.

The Caps did not take long to strike at Pittsburgh in the third period.  Tomas Fleischmann scoredon a breakaway fed by an Alexander Semin pass to give the Caps a quick 4-3 lead, just a little over 2 minutes into the period.  It was Flash's 17th goal of the year and Semin's assist extended his point streak to 4 straight games.  Less than a minute later, Nicklas Backstrom struck on an around the net power play goal to give the Caps a 5-3 lead.  Ovechkin would score the final goal on the empty net, his 32nd goal, moving him to within 3 of San Jose's Patrick Marleau.  He added 3 points to give him 68 and move him to within 2 points of NHL leader Henrik Sedin.

Jose Theodore stopped 35 of 38 shots on goal to earn his 5th straight win.

Special Teams:

The Caps power play was dead on, going 2 for 2 with goals from Ovechkin and Backstrom.  The Caps PK unit  was also a perfect 4 for 4.

Multi-Point Scorers:

Tomas Fleischmann, 1 goal, 1 assist

Shaone Morrisonn, 2 assists

Alex Ovechkin, 2 goals, 1 assist

DCPSR Player of the Game:  ALEXANDER OVECHKIN