Sports

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, scores the winning goal against Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) during a shootout of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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Rod Lamkey Jr. / The Washington Times BUILDING A WINNER: Washington Capitals GM George McPhee, in the locker room at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, started rebuilding the team with Alex Ovechkin in the 2004 draft. Since then, he has added the pieces needed to make the team a consistent winner. Video, washingtontimes.com/multimedia.

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Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa (81), of Slovakia, moves the puck as Washington Capitals' Troy Brouwer defends during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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Defenseman Dmitry Orlov had two goals and seven assists in 19 games with Hershey in 2010-11. He'll be back with the Bears for more seasoning this year. (Associated Press)

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Braden Holtby fashioned a 10-2-2 record with a 1.79 goals-against average in 14 appearances with the Capitals last season. At Hershey, he was 17-10-2 with a 2.29 GAA. (Associated Press)

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Center Cody Eakin, just 20, was a force in the Western Hockey League last season, combining for 36 goals and 47 assists with Swift Current and Kootenay. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Center Mattias Sjogren (right) has benefited from playing in the Swedish Elite League. He won a silver medal with Sweden at the World Championship last season. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner looks on during Game 5 of a first-round playoff series against the Rangers on April 23. (Associated Press)

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Defenseman Karl Alzner, 23, is praised by Capitals brass for his sound technique, and he wants to add offense to his repertoire. "I've been working on handling the puck more and making better plays." (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Offseason acquisitions Joel Ward (left) and Troy Brouwer will give the Capitals a physical dimension that some critics said was lacking in the playoffs last season. Brouwer won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010, and Ward was a scoring surprise with Nashville in last year's postseason. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Instead of standing pat, GM George McPhee sought veteran forwards who have enjoyed playoff success. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Washington Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun, shown blocking a shot by Chicago's Ben Smith on Sept. 23, supplanted Michal Neuvirth as the starter. Braden Holtby, also in the mix, likely will see more time at Hershey of the AHL.

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Right wing Mike Knuble (from left), left wing Alex Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom constitute the bulk of the firepower on the Capitals' top two lines and serve as the foundation for leadership. They again will be counted on to provide ample offense as Washington takes aim at its first Stanley Cup. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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The heat will be turned up on Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau if Washington fails to make a significant playoff run. The Caps failed to get past the second round each of the past two seasons despite being the top seed in the East. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter laughs during a baseball news conference, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, in Philadelphia. he Cardinals are scheduled play the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the National League division series on Friday. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)