Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals veteran forward Mike Knuble was a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. It was the first time he's been scratched for performance reasons since the 2002-03 season. (Associated Press)

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Colorado Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod (55) lands a punch to Washington Capitals left wing Matt Hendricks (26) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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Colorado Avalanche center Brad Malone (42) knocks Washington Capitals left wing Troy Brouwer (20) off his skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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Colorado Avalanche center Brad Malone (42) knocks Washington Capitals left wing Troy Brouwer (20) off his skates during the first period Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Denver. The Caps fell 2-1. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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Colorado Avalanche right wing Milan Hejduk (23) congratulates teammate Erik Johnson (6) after Johnson scored a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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Washington Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth (30) and Nicklas Backstrom (19) stop Winnipeg Jets forward Chris Thorburn (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)

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Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis notified season-ticket holders in an email Wednesday night that ticket prices would be increased next year. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros congratulates teammate Wayne Simmonds for scoring in Tuesday night's 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals, as a glum Caps center Marcus Johansson looks on. (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun (right) was pulled Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers after surrendering four goals in two periods. After the 5-1 loss, the Caps are 15-13-1 on the season. (Associated Press)

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Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68), of the Czech Republic, gets tripped up by Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) celebrates his goal as Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth reacts during the third period of an NHL game, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) shoves Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal during the second period of an hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman celebrates the 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs with goalie Tomas Vokoun, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin sits on top of the wall on the bench area during a break in the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman and Brooks Laichsmile as they wait for the ice to be cleared after hats were thrown on the ice after what was originally ruled Wideman's hat trick, but later changed to Laich's goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. won (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Toronto Maple Leafs players leave the ice as a crew member gathers up caps after Washington Capitals' Dennis Wideman earned a hat trick, scoring his third goal of the game, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel helps collect hats that were thrown on the ice after Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman scored his third goal of the game during the third period, Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-2. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman celebrates his first of three goals with teammate Alex Ovechkin during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson has been a key member of the improved penalty kill under coach Dale Hunter. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin celebrates his go-ahead goal along with teammate Nickolas Backstrom, who had a goal and an assist, during the third period in Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. The Caps went on to win 5-3. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)