Escape Artists: (Red) Caps 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT)

It was an interesting night at Verizon Center. After the Washington Capitals scored at 1:39 of the first period, about 30 minutes ellapsed before any other goals were registered. Four goals were then scored in just 2:17 during the second period, which was followed by another dormant period before the Columbus Blue Jackets scored at 14:23 to send the game to overtime.

Finally, former Blue Jacket Jason Chimera won the game for the Caps on a tap-in goal after a Brooks Laich shot was blocked in front by former Cap Sami Lepisto and trickled right to Chimmer for the game-winning goal at 2:30 of overtime to give the home team a dramatic 4-3 victory.

Columbus' tying tally was notched when Scottie Upshall got open in the face-off circle and ripped a wrister past Michal Neuvirth. The reason Upshall got the puck in the first place was because the Caps failed to clear the zone as the Jackets spent a long while in the offensive zone.

The busy stretch in the second period began with the the Jackets' first goal -- when Antoine Vermette found himself wide open and poked it past Michal Neuvirth to tie the game at one at 11:10.

But the Caps struck back quickly. On a broken play, Mike Knuble was wide open in front of the net after the puck trickled past Mason and rested in the crease. Knuble took the gift to provide a 2-1 lead for the homestanding red, white and blue at 12:32.

Fedor Tyutin shot it past Neuvirth from the face-off cirlcle with Vermette providing traffic in front of the net less than a minute later. It was a broken play from a defense that was stretched thin all night due to the injuries to Mike Green and Dennis Wideman, and the fact that John Erskine didn't return to the game after taking a shift early in the second period.

In fact, TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting that Wideman is being treated for a hematoma in an area hospital. If he's out for the rest of the season, including playoffs, and Tom Poti isn't healthy enough to return, then the Caps could be leaning on Tyler Sloan a whole bunch during the postseason. The Caps better hope that Green can return really soon and Poti isn't far behind.

The Caps regained the lead late in the second period when Mason failed to clear it and the puck trickled right to Marco Sturm, who found Jason Arnott in the slot. Arnott fired it past a helpless Mason to give the Caps the lead just 13 seconds after Tyutin's goal.

Laich began the scoring with a shot from just inside the blue line, Mason couldn't grab it and it bounced right to John Carlson, who poked it into the net for the Caps' first goal. That came moments after Alex Semin nearly scored on a similar play, but over skated and shot the puck right into Mason's pads. It was Carlson's seventh goal of the season at just 1:39 of the opening frame. It's also the young defensemen's 100th career game -- and he's only 21.

Erksine's only contribution of note occurred when he dropped the gloves at 17:00 of the first period. It was a pretty quick and dirty fight and Boll should be declared the victor.

So the Caps escaped but there are certainly bits of concern, especially when it comes to healthy defensemen, heading into the final four games of the season. But, for tonight, it's another two points for a team that's about to become the four-time defending Southeast Division champs.

Weekly Snapshot, March 27

A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.

The Synopsis: With just six games left in the regular season, the Caps are all about two things right now: keeping momentum and getting healthy. This week, especially last night's win in Montreal, showed that they're capable of consistently playing well -- and, when the playoffs arrive, that is expected to improve even further. In the meantime, the three-headed goalie monster of Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby is doing well, but staying healthy is seemingly their biggest obstacle, too. Alex Ovechkin and Jason Arnott should return this week, while the status of Mike Green and Tom Poti are very much unknown.

Record/Standings Position: 44-22-10 (98 points), 1st Southeast Division/2nd Eastern Conference/3rd NHL

Last Week's Games:
* Won, 5-4 (SO), at Philadelphia Flyers
* Lost, 2-0, at Ottawa Senators
* Won, 2-0, at Montreal Canadiens

This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m., CSN-HD, Versus-HD)
* Saturday vs. Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m., CSN-HD)

Injuries: Alex Ovechkin (day-to-day), Jason Arnott –day-to-day, Mike Green (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Michal Neuvirth (day-to-day). Total Man Games Lost: 231.

Recent Transactions: Assigned Braden Holtby to Hershey (today), recalled Holtby from Hershey (yesterday).

Looking at Possible First-Round Opponents

As the countdown continues to the beginning of the 2011 NHL playoffs on April 13, the teams the Washington Capitals likely will face in the first round have more or less been narrowed to four: Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres or Carolina Hurricanes.

First, a peek at the Caps:

Record: 43-21-10 (96 points)
Last 10 Games: 9-1 (won two straight)
Goals Per Game: 2.69 (20th in NHL)
GAA: 2.36 (third)
Power Play: 16.9 (18th)
Penalty Kill: 85.9 (fourth)

Season Summary: After a rocky first two-thirds of the season, the team has truly found an identity. Amazingly, a defense-first mentality has helped a stagnant offense and power play find its groove and overcome injuries to some of the team's biggest stars. Perhaps the biggest unsung hero in the turnaround has been Michal Neuvirth -- who, despite his youth, has put up stellar numbers: 24-11-4, 2.46 GAA, .915 save percentage and four shutouts. Since the trading deadline, the team has lost but once and enjoyed some solid play from pick-up Dennis Wideman. If the team can get everybody healthy for the playoffs, a long postseason run could ensue.

A look at each possible opponent:

Montreal Canadiens

Record: 40-27-7 (87)
Last 10 Games: 6-4 (lost one)
Goals Per Game: 2.66 (22nd)
GAA: 2.49 (8th)
Power Play: 19.4 percent (seventh)
Penalty Kill: 83.6 (ninth)
Season Series: Caps, 2-0-1 (final meeting this coming Saturday in Montreal)
Playoff history: Montreal, 1-0
Only playoff meeting: Montreal, 4-3, in 2010 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Prognosis: Much like last year, the team hasn't been scaring anybody -- but the roots are there for another long postseason run. Carey Price has done spendedly as the unquestioned starter in goal (34-25-6, 2.35 GAA, .922 save percentage with eight shutouts), earning an all-star bid and plenty of accolades. This would present another huge challenge for the Caps.

New York Rangers

Record: 40-30-4 (84 points)
Last 10 Games: 7-3 (won five straight)
Goals Per Game: 2.81 (12th)
GAA: 2.39 (fifth)
Power Play: 18.2 percent (13th)
Penalty Kill: 83.2 percent (14th)
Season Series: Rangers, 3-1 (Caps 1-2-1)
Playoff history: Caps, 3-2
Last playoff meeting: Caps, 4-3, in 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Prognosis: This is a younger team than one would expect and they're blossoming at the right time. The Caps haven't done well against the Rangers all season, which includes defeats by the scores of 7-0 (Dec. 12) and 6-0 (Feb. 25). The biggest challenge for the Caps against the Rangers would be to overcome John Tortorella's system that has frustrated Washington since the American coach came to Broadway.

Buffalo Sabres

Record: 36-28-9 (81)
Last 10 Games: 6-3-1 (win one)
Goals Per Game: 2.89 (7th)
GAA: 2.84 (19th)
Power Play: 18.5 percent (10th)
Penalty Kill: 82.6 percent (15th)
Season Series: Caps, 3-0-1
Playoff history: Caps, 1-0
Only playoff meeting: Caps, 4-2, in 1998 Eastern Conference Finals

Prognosis: It's been quite an eventful season for the Sabres. Between their longtime GM-Coach tandem of Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff being under fire for much of the campaign, an ownership change that put the entire franchise in a state of uncertainty and a down season -- at least by his lofty standards -- for all-everything goalie Ryan Miller (31-21-8, 2.63 GAA, .914 save percentage with four shutouts), it hasn't been easy for Buffalo to find a rhythm. That being said, the team is in more of a groove lately and most assuredly would put up quite the fight in a postseason match-up.

Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 34-29-10 (78)
Last 10 Games: 5-4-1 (won two straight)
Goals Per Game: 2.75 (15th)
GAA: 2.90 (22nd)
Power Play: 15.3 percent (26th)
Penalty Kill: 81.4 percent (19th)
Season Series: Caps, 5-0 (final meeting, Tuesday, March 29 at Verizon Center)
Playoff history: None
Last playoff meeting: N/A

Season Summary: This is best-case scenario for the Caps. Between their extreme familiarity with the Hurricanes and their domination of them, the Caps would have the best chance for advancing in a match-up with Carolina, who was three points behind the Sabres for the final playoff spot entering tonight's games. (None of the teams listed here play tonight.) The Hurricanes have been their own worst enemy and continue to struggle to find their groove. But if they can squeeze into the eighth spot, and the Caps can overtake the Philadelphia Flyers for first, Washington would be in good shape.

Weekly Snapshot, March 20

A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.

The Synopsis: The Caps enjoyed another great week, with two big wins and a superb effort in a loss at Joe Louis Arena. The team is starting to get healthier, with goalie Semyon Varlamov expected to play this week and Nicklas Backstrom not that far behind.

Even so, they've got the game plan down and are executed fantastically. Fans and franchise members have a reason to be as optimistic as ever heading into the final nine games of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.

If the team can get everybody back before the postseason begins, it might be quite the ride between mid-April and early June.

Record/Standings Position: 42-21-10 (94 points), 1st Southeast Division/2nd Eastern Conference/4th NHL

Last Week's Games:
* Won, 4-2, at Montreal Canadiens
* Lost, 3-2, at Detroit Red Wings
* Won, 3-0, at New Jersey Devils

This Week's Games:
* Tuesday at Philadelphia Flyers (7:30 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Friday at Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m., CSN Plus-HD)
* Saturday at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m., CSN-HD)

Injuries: Eric Fehr (day-to-day), Jason Arnott (week-to-week), John Erksine (day-to-day), Nicklas Backstrom (day-to-day), Semyon Varlamov (day-to-day), Mike Green (day-to-day), and Tom Poti (week-to-week). Total Man Games Lost: 219.

Recent Transactions: Assigned Braden Holtby to Hershey and signed Garrett Mitchell to a three-year entry-level contract (March 19).

Streak Ends in Hockeytown

Henrik Zetterberg made sure that the Washington Capitals would not win their 10th straight game. The fantastic Swede scored his second goal of the game at 10:07 to give the homestanding Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 victory and snap the Caps' string of victories at nine. On the winning tally, Zetterberg forced his way towards the net and somehow squeezed the puck into the top corner off his backhand past Michal Neuvirth to provide all the Wings needed. If the puck had been fired an inch in any other direction, it wouldn't have made it into the net.

Zetterberg also opened the scoring at 12:23 on a wicked slap shot that whizzed by Neuvirth. Just 33 seconds later, though, the Caps' John Carlson unleashed a slap shot of his own to tie the score at one. Both shots went top shelf and gave the goalie no chance.

The Wings took the lead back at 14:45 when Valtteri Filppula tipped in a Brian Rafalski point shot. It was the prototypical Red Wings goal with lots of traffic in front and much pressure on the opposing team.

Alex Ovechkin scored the only goal of the middle frame at 5:53 when he scored on his trademark move: shooting the puck between the defenseman's legs past an unsuspecting goalie -- in this case, the Wings' Jimmy Howard, who otherwise had a very good game.

In a contest that certainly had a playoff vibe to it, the Caps truly played fantastically and were beaten by one of the best teams in the league. The Wings are a model of excellence and had their best stuff tonight. The Caps, playing in the second half of a back-to-back, threw all their cards on the table and were defeated by the Wings' ace in the hole: Zetterberg.

As they say, you can't win them all. But, in this case, the Caps sure got close to trying.

Last Two Eastern Conference Champions Provide Footprint for Caps

The Washington Capitals have been going through a season of transition: they're now playing a more two-way game that's reduced their goals against (2.37, fourth in the NHL) and improved their penalty kill (85.8 percent, third in the league); they've trusted rookies in key spots with mixed results: Marcus Johansson, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby have done well, while Mathieu Perreault did not; they have found ways to bring key veterans to help the team: Scott Hannan, Dennis Wideman and Jason Arnott; and they've found a way to overcome 205 man games lost to injury, including some of their biggest stars (especially Nicklas Backstrom), to vault within a point of the best record in the Eastern Conference.

But they certainly are not alone. Over the last two years, the Eastern Conference representative in the Stanley Cup finals has rallied at the end of a rocky season just in time to excel during a long postseason run.

Last year, the Philadelphia Flyers (who currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference) experienced an up-and-down campaign, qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the regular season (in a shootout no less) and were down 3-0 (both in games and also by that score in game seven) to the Boston Bruins in the second round of the playoffs. That made them the first team in 35 years to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first three games, and the first team since 1991 to overcome a three-goal deficit in game seven of a playoff series.

The year before, the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins went 10-16-2 in December and January, which led to the firing of head coach Michel Therrien. Once Dan Bylsma was hired on Feb. 15, 2009, the turnaround begin, including a 14-2-3 stretch in March and April. They finished the regular season as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with 99 points. Even so, they had to overcome two-game deficits in the second round against the Caps and the finals against Detroit Red Wings.

Getting back to this year's Caps, it's been a tough go for them so far. They experienced an eight-game losing streak in December, have been shutout nine times and their goals scored per game is way down from last year's President Trophy winning bunch (2.68 this year, 3.82 last season). And this doesn't count the number of times Coach Bruce Boudreau has scratched his bald head trying to rationalize what he's seen on the ice.

The team appears to be in fine shape now (despite the growing spate of injuries), winning nine straight games heading into tonight's match-up with the Detroit Red Wings. They earned praise from ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun in today's column:

"I think you absolutely have to throw Boudreau in with the half dozen or so worthy candidates for the Jack Adams [for coach of the year]. He's convinced his team to change its colors, adopting a more defensive style that should, in theory, apply itself better come playoff time. That's a coach that learned a valuable lesson from the playoffs last year and applied it this year. Impressive. Look at last night, once the Caps went up 3-2 on the Habs, they totally shut the game down, Montreal didn't get a sniff. That's just something the Caps didn't know how to do before this year."

The Caps certainly hope that they follow in the footsteps of the Flyers and Penguins and reach the Stanley Cup finals.

Weekly Snapshot, March 13

A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.

The Synopsis: The Caps continue to impress. Not only are they still undefeated since the trading deadline, but they're on an eight-game winning streak that bears some magic that's reminiscent of the run to end Coach Bruce Boudreau's first magical season. But this one feels different because this team seems like it's got the depth (despite the injuries) and a playing style to make a run come playoff time. There are still 12 games left until the postseason arrives, but the Caps are suddenly five points ahead of Tampa Bay (with one more game played) and looking quite impressive. This week provides a stern test, though, as a six-game road trip begins.

Record/Standings Position: 40-20-10 (90 points), 1st Southeast Division/2nd Eastern Conference/4th NHL

Last Week's Games:
* Won, 2-1 (SO), at Tampa Bay Lightning
* Won, 5-0, vs. Edmonton Oilers
* Won, 2-1, vs. Carolina Hurricanes
* Won, 4-3 (OT), vs. Chicago Blackhawks

This Week's Games:
* Tuesday at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m., CSN-Plus-HD)
* Wednesday at Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Friday at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m., CSN-HD)

Injuries: Nicklas Backstrom (day-to-day), Semyon Varlamov (day-to-day), Mike Green (day-to-day), and Tom Poti (week-to-week). Total Man Games Lost: 199.

Recent Transactions: None.

Holtby, Ovechkin, Fehr Pace Caps over Oilers

Tonight, the Washington Capitals left no doubt that they had their best game on display. Against an over-matched Edmonton Oilers team, the Caps dominated from start to finish, got stronger as the game progressed and cruised to a 5-0 victory at Verizon Center.

After a scoreless first period, Alex Ovechkin converted a beautiful Jason Arnott pass on the power play to put the Caps on the board at 5:38. Then, Eric Fehr -- making a triumphant return from a 20-plus game injury absense -- got the team's second power-play goal at 10:32.

But the real fireworks were saved for the final frame. Just past the three-minute mark, Ovechkin and Marcus Johansson put on a passing clinic with three or four quick passes before Ovechkin notched his second goal of the game and 27th of the season to give the Caps a 3-0 lead. The play was especially important because Ovechkin had worked hard to keep the puck in the zone earlier in the sequence and was further proof that Johansson could do well playing on the first line in place of the injured Nick Backstrom, who missed the first game in his NHL career.

Shortly thereafter, Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin wandered practically to the blueline to fetch the puck on a dump-in, but Jason Chimera beat him to it and fed it to Fehr, who notched his second goal of the game. And then, at 14:30, Alex Semin converted a quick two-on-one with Marco Sturm to provide the final margin.

Almost as if he were in the background, Braden Holtby stopped 22 shots for his first NHL shutout. He didn't have to make too many difficult ones, but the final minutes were a bit strenuous for the 21-year-old who was playing just his 10th career NHL game. He's been spectacular, though, compiling a 0.78 goals against average over his last four games before tonight. Holtby has been the real deal and certainly helped the Caps while Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth have battled sporadic injuries throughout the season.

Ovechkin also surpassed the 600-point milestone tonight. His stats might not be as flashy as they have been in previous seasons, but the Caps' win was their sixth in a row -- proving that team success is more important than individual glory. After all, that's what captains should strive for anyway.

Semin, Holtby Keep Caps in First

The Washington Capitals are now 16-0 when Alex Semin scores a goal, as he did in the team's 2-1 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at St. Pete Times Forum. The enigmatic winger struck at 14:28 of the third period when he had just enough time and space to unleash one of his wicked wristers past Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson, who gave the Caps fits yet again. (Alex Ovechkin scored the only goal in the shootout.)

At the other end of the ice, Braden Holtby earned a win (and the game's No. 1 star) after replacing the apparently injured Michal Neuvirth at the start of the second period. Holtby didn't allow a goal amongst the 21 shots he faced and looked extremely comfortable along the way. The Caps, overall, were stellar on both ends of the ice and earned multiple kudos from Versus announcer Pierre McGuire, who not only praised their play but also their heart and passion.

The Lightning's lone goal came on a power play in the first period, when Sean Bergenheim tipped a Martin St. Louis pass into the net. The rest of the game was a tightly checked affair, with multiple scoring chances but limited real opportunities. If this was a playoff preview, the Caps have myriad reasons to be quite optimistic.

The only cause for concern is the health of Nicklas Backstrom, who apparently re-injured his bothersome wrist and missed the entire third period and overtime. Backstrom hasn't missed a game during his NHL career, but his wrist hasn't been 100 percent in a while either. If the Caps must play without the Swedish center for an extended period of time, that could put a wrinkle in their roll.

But, otherwise, the red, white and blue hasn't lost since the trade deadline and have won five straight overall. This is a team that looks like it's for real, and in fact is tied with Boston for the Eastern Conference's second spot -- just two points behind the slumping Philadelphia Flyers. They've confirmed that Coach Bruce Boudreau implemented change that everybody can endorse.

Weekly Snapshot, March 6

A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.

The Synopsis: It's amazing what one week can do in terms of changing a team's perception. Not too long ago, many of us were calling for radical changes and were full of gloom and doom. Now, in the midst of a four-game wining streak (the team's longest since Nov. 24-Dec. 1), the Caps have retaken the Southeast Division lead for the first time since Dec. 29 and are suddenly inching closer to joining the league's elite once again. GM George McPhee worked wonders at the trading deadline and the future is looking much brighter.

Most of this regular season has been somewhat mediocre for a team with extremely lofty expectations. There are still 16 games remaining to cement the team's fourth-consecutive division title and plenty of momentum heading into what could be a franchise-altering postseason. While the Caps certainly haven't reached the ceiling of their potential, it's a lot easier to be optimistic about the red, white and blue these days.

Record/Standings Position: 36-20-10 (82 points), 1st Southeast Division/3rd Eastern Conference/6th NHL

Last Week's Games:
* Won, 2-1 (OT), vs. New York Islanders
* Won, 3-2, vs. St. Louis Blues
* Won, 3-2 (OT), at Florida Panthers

This Week's Games:
* Monday at Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Wednesday vs. Edmonton Oilers (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Friday vs. Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday vs. Chicago Blackhawks (12:30 p.m., NBC-HD)

Injuries: Mike Green (day-to-day), Tom Poti (week-to-week), Eric Fehr (week-to-week), Semyon Varlamov (7-10 days). Total Man Games Lost: 183.

Recent Transactions: Recalled Braden Holtby from Hershey and assigned Todd Ford to Hershey (March 3); recalled Ford from Hershey (March 1); acquired Jason Arnott from New Jersey for David Steckel and a 2012 2nd-round pick (Feb. 28); acquired Dennis Wideman from Florida for Jake Hauswirth and a 2011 3rd-round pick (Feb. 28).

Arnott Seals Third Straight Victory

In two games as a member of the Washington Capitals, Jason Arnott has certainly made a positive impression on and off the ice. Tonight, he added to the legacy of his fantastic NHL career with a game-winning goal to give the Caps a 3-2 victory over the visiting St. Louis Blues.

Arnott's goal, his 14th of the season and first with the team, came as the result of a beautiful pass from Alex Semin on a two-on-one that quickly developed late in the third period. But it was certainly not his first impression wearing the red, white and blue.

On Tuesday, Arnott notched the game-winning assist in overtime against the New York Islanders and then proceeded to speak his mind about his new team's deficiencies. Something he said must have worked because the Caps looked much improved tonight.

After falling behind in the first, on a goal by Alexander Steen on a two-on-one that resulted because John Erskine got stuck up ice and looked awful, the Caps struck back off the stick of Scott Hannan, who notched his first goal of the season -- and just the 31st of his career.

The Blues took back the lead quickly as B.J. Crombeen broke in alone and victimized Michal Neuvirth. Nicklas Backstrom evened up the game by hitting the puck out of mid-air and managing to keep his stick low enough to avoid a penalty at 6:48. It was an unbelievably skillful goal. That's three goals in just under seven minutes of the middle stanza.

Arnott's strike at 14:41 of the third was the culmination of a better team effort, but certainly not a complete one. There were still times when the Caps looked over-matched and disorganized. They had plenty of opportunities -- especially by Marco Sturm, who is quickly making a name for himself on a very speedy third line -- but couldn't convert.

Neuvirth, meanwhile, set a new Caps' rookie record with his 21st victory of the season and continued to keep the team in the game during those dormant times. This is a team that was bordering on hopeless several weeks ago and now, with Tampa Bay's loss in Boston tonight, is but one point behind the Lightning for the Southeast Division lead.

It's quite the turnaround, but one that isn't anywhere close to complete. But if Arnott has anything to do or say about it, the Caps will be just fine.

Two Late Goals Enough to Beat Islanders

The Washington Capitals looked downright pitiful for most of tonight's game against the New York Islanders. But, in the last minute of regulation and the first two minutes of overtime, the Caps redeemed themselves to steal a 2-1 overtime victory at Verizon Center, where they hadn't scored in a while. (Their last home game was a 6-0 awful loss to the New York Rangers on Feb. 25.)

The winner belonged to Alex Ovechkin, who skated around and through Frans Nielsen on a rush in overtime and beat Islanders goalie Nate Lawson before he knew what hit him. It was Ovie's 25th of the year and extended his franchise record for overtime winners. But it also showed a flash of brilliance for a player who is having a down offensive year, at least by his lofty standards.

It looked for a while that Matt "Golden" Moulson's goal at 10:08 of the second would be enough to put the visitors in the win column. But, with Michal Neuvirth on the bench in the game's waning moments, Brooks Laich took a gorgeous pass from Jason Arnott, in his Caps debut, and beat Lawson between the legs to tie the game. Laich and Arnott had good chemistry all night skating on the second line with Alex Semin.

The best of the Caps new acquisitions was Dennis Wideman -- who skated a game-high 26:44 and was fantastic on both ends of the ice. Arnott was pretty good, while Marco Sturm was solid.

Michal Neuvirth had another great game, keeping the Caps in it all night, even while they were outplayed. The Caps top goalie continues to improve and is showing that he can carry the load while Semyon Varlamov remains hurt.

The Caps get their first practice with all the new troops tomorrow and then host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night (7 p.m., CSN-HD).