Sports

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The Washington Nationals take and the Cincinnati Reds come out on the field before the start of the Nationals home opener. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Kristi Poreda, left, of Alexandria, Va. and her son Nick, 9, arrive with other fans to the stadium by boat from Alexandria, Va. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

The American flag is unfurled in the outfield as the Washington Nationals host the Cincinnati Reds during the Nationals' home opener, in Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 12, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez gets a playful punch from a coach after working seven shutout innings against Cincinnati. Gonzalez added to the Nationals' pitching dominance of late, as the starters haven't allowed a run in the last three games. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington TImes)

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Ryan Zimmerman crosses home plate on a wild pitch, giving the Nationals a 3-2, 10-inning win in their home opener. Arriving to congratulate Zimmerman is Roger Bernadina. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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The American flag is unfurled in the outfield at Nationals Park before Washington hosted Cincinnati on Thursday in its home opener. The Nationals beat the Reds 3-2 in 10 innings. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) batts as the Washington Nationals defeat the Cincinnati Reds in extra innings, 3-2, for their home opener in Major League Baseball at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 12, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond throws out a Cincinnati Reds runner during the ninth inning Thursday, April 12, 2012, in Washington. The Nationals won 3-2 in 10 innings. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Carmelo Anthony has averaged 34.6 points in his past three games, including a 43-point performance against Chicago . (Associated Press)

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Washington Nationals Gio Gonzalez (47) delivers the first pitch of the game against Cincinnati Reds Drew Stubbs (6) in the top of the first inning as the Washington Nationals host the Cincinnati Reds during the Nationals' home opener, in Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 12, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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The American flag is unfurled in the outfield as the Washington Nationals host the Cincinnati Reds during the Nationals' home opener, in Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 12, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Captain Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have been eliminated early in the NHL playoffs four years in a row. Expectations this year are low for seventh-seeded Washington, which opens its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against Boston on Thursday. (The Washington Times/Andrew Harnik)

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Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (left) and left wing Jason Chimera chat during practice Tuesday in Arlington. The Capitals open the playoffs Thursday in Boston against the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins. (The Washington Times/Andrew Harnik)

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"As weird as it's been for us, you kind of have to look at it as a positive compared to the last couple of years where the team just kind of breezed through the regular season and the problems kind of just get thrown under the rug because you keep winning. This year, they were exposed. It's a good thing, and it's especially going to benefit us." Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. (The Washington Times/Andrew Harnik)