Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals' Mathieu Perreault , left, and Montreal Canadiens' Raphael Diaz collide during first period NHL hockey action, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

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Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has 23 goals and 21 assists in 53 games this season. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

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Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich checks Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson during the first period in Sunrise, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) blocks a shot by Florida Panthers center Mike Santorelli, right, as Panthers' Sean Bergenheim (20) tries to get control of the rebound during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich, left, dives to slap the puck away from Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Bruno Gervais during the first period of an NHL game in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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The Washington Capitals have many encounters with Southeast Division foes in the closing months of the season. (AP photo)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman has nine goals and 25 assists. He'll make his All-Star debut as the Caps' only representative. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds)

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After being suspended, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin decided not to attend NHL's All-Star weekend. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

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Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman played 20:27 and had an assist in his first NHL All-Star Game. His team, Team Chara, won 12-9 over Team Alfredsson. (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals' Mathieu Perreault (below, middle) did the damage with his stick Tuesday night as his hat trick helped beat the Stanley Cup-champion Boston Bruins 5-3. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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Washington Capitals left wing Matt Hendricks slugged it out with Montreal's Rene Bourque on Jan. 18, retribution for Bourque's hit on Nicklas Backstrom that left the Capitals center with a concussion. (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals' Mathieu Perreault, center, shakes hands with Marcus Johansson after completing a hat trick against the Boston Bruins during the third period of an hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 5-3. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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Washington Capitals' Mathieu Perreult, center, celebrates with Alexander Semin (28) and John Carlson (74) after scoring his third goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period of an NHL game, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 5-3. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) stops a shot as Washington Capitals' Matthieu Perreault watches during the first period of an NHL game, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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**FILE** Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich (21) tries to stuff the puck past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

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Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jiri Tlusty celebrates with teammates Tim Brent and Eric Staalafter scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. The Hurricanes won 3-0. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds)