Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - The Capitals look to cap off a perfect four-game homestand when they entertain the New York Islanders Tuesday at Verizon Center.

The Caps are 3-0 on their latest homestand, with wins over Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Carolina all decided by one goal.

Dale Hunter's Capitals have won seven straight games in Chinatown and nine of ten overall on home ice. Washington's 17-5-1 record at home is tops in the Eastern Conference.

"I think anytime you can kind of hold at home and get points at home you want to do it," said Jeff Halpern. "You want to make it a tough building to play in. I think [Sunday] we probably didn't deserve to win and were able to get two points anyway. Anytime you can take wins you want them. We'd just like to play a little bit better, especially at home."

Hunter would not say who will start in goal against the Islanders but it would be hard to argue against starting Tomas Vokoun for a season-high tenth straight game.

Vokoun stopped 43 of 44 shots in Sunday's 2-1 win against the Hurricanes to improve to 7-2 over his last nine starts with a .940 save percentage and 1.97 goals-against-average.

"I think he's been of late very consistent and playing well and playing confidently," said Mike Knuble. "He's just been solid, and I think that's been the big thing is you got your goalie that's just a solid goaltender. He doesn't need to win the game every night but just be solid and make the saves you're supposed to make. That's all you can ask out of your goalie every night."

Evgeni Nabokov is expected to start in goal for the Islanders. Nabokov became the twenty-sixth goalie in NHL history to win 300 career games after New York's 4-2 win over Buffalo on Saturday.

THE OPPOSITION:

The Islanders just completed a four-game homestand of their own having gone 2-2-0 after Monday's 3-1 loss to Nashville. The Predators beat Isles goalie Kevin Poulin on their first two shots of the game marking the ninth time this season that the Islanders have allowed a goal on the first shot of the game.

Former No.1 pick John Tavares played the role of shutout buster when he beat Nashville's Pekka Rinne with less than four minutes remaining in the third period.

It was the 16th goal of the season for Tavares who is riding a career-best nine-game scoring streak (five goals and 16 points over that span).

Tavares' nine-game scoring streak is also tied for the second longest in the NHL this season (Boston's David Krejci entered play Monday with points in 11 straight games).

The 21-year-old Tavares played briefly for Capitals head coach Dale Hunter with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights in 2009.

In 38 games total (regular season and playoffs combined) with London, Tavares had 42 goals and 71 points.

FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS TO D.C.:

Former Capitals defenseman Milan Jurcina is in his second season patrolling the Islanders blueline and will hit a personal milestone Tuesday at Verizon Center.

Jurcina will skate in his 400th career NHL game, 211 of which were played with the Capitals from 2007-09. The 28-year-old was an eighth round pick (241st overall) by the Boston Bruins in 2001.

AVSWATCH2012:

The Coyotes beat the Avalanche 6-1 Monday in Phoenix as former Capitals forward Boyd Gordon beat ex- teammate Semyon Varlamov twice for his first career two-goal game.

The Avs drop to 24-21-2 and remain on the outside of a playoff position in the Western Conference. Washington owns Colorado's first round pick in the 2012 entry draft dating back to the trade that sent Varlamov to Denver last July.

Catch the Capitals and Islanders Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 6:45 on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online www.wfed.com.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Tomas Vokoun will make his eighth straight start tonight as the Capitals (22-17-2) continue their four-game homestand against the Tampa Bay Lightning (17-21-4).

The Caps have won five straight at Verizon Center and own the second best home record in the Eastern Conference at 15-5-1.

Nicklas Backstrom will miss his fourth straight game after taking an elbow to the head from then-Calgary Flame Rene Bourque Jan. 3.

Mike Green will also miss his third straight game after aggravating his previously injured groin last Saturday in San Jose. Green has missed 25 of the past 27 games and was placed on LTIR yesterday. He is not eligible to return until Feb.1 at the earliest.

With Green placed on LTIR, prospect Cody Eakin was recalled from AHL Hershey and will be in the lineup tonight against Tampa Bay. Eakin has three goals and six points in 19 NHL games this season.

Defenseman Tomas Kundratek is also expected back in Washington's lineup after making his NHL debut in Wednesday's 1-0 win against Pittsburgh.

The Capitals and Lightning will meet five times in the second half of the season and have not met since Oct.10, a 6-5 shootout win for the Caps.

The top two teams in the Southeast Division a year ago enter play Friday fighting for a playoff position. The Caps begin the day tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference, eight points clear of the 13th place Lightning.

The Lightning are still seeking their first win of 2012, having dropped five straight (0-4-1) since a 5-2 win over Carolina on New Year's Eve.

Steven Stamkos remains the NHL's goal-scoring leader with 29 tallies in 42 games, but the Bolts have allowed a league-worst 3.40 goals per game.

PROJECTED CAPS LINEUP:

• Alex Ovechkin - Marcus Johansson - Alexander Semin
• Mike Knuble - Brooks Laich - Troy Brouwer
• Matt Hendricks - Jeff Halpern - Joel Ward
• Jason Chimera - Cody Eakin - Jay Beagle
• Karl Alzner - John Carlson
• Dmitri Orlov - Dennis Wideman
• Roman Hamrlik - Tomas Kundratek
• Tomas Vokoun

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Washington Capitals head coach Dale Hunter was non-committal Wednesday morning when asked if he intends to ride goalie Tomas Vokoun for the remainder of the season.

"I don't know about that," Hunter said. "I'm a tonight person myself; I worry about tonight. We made mistakes in front of him [in Monday's 5-2 loss in Los Angeles]… But he's a veteran. He'll be ready to go tonight."

Those words rang true at Verizon Center 10 hours later as Vokoun stopped all 30 shots he faced in the Capitals' 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vokoun was starting his seventh straight game (two shy of his season-high nine straight starts from Oct. 10 - Nov. 1) and earned his second shutout of the season.

"There were no three-on-ones or breakaways or breakdowns," Vokoun said of the play in front of him. "It's more about playing the right way. Maybe they get a shot off a cycle or something, but you don't allow the Grade-A scoring chances or odd-man rushes. And usually when you do that, you have a pretty good chance to win."

It wasn't always pretty, but the Capitals will take the two points and look forward to Friday's tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Capitals now have won two of three meetings with the Penguins this season, with one more regular season game set for next Sunday in Pittsburgh.

With Wednesday's win, the Caps moved into an eighth-place tie with the Pens in the Eastern Conference, although Washington has played one less game.

The Capitals also pulled within four points of the Southeast Division-leading Florida Panthers.

"Every one [of the points] you lose at this time of the year, it gets harder and harder to scrape up those points," the Caps' Mike Knuble said. "These points are just going to be incredibly valuable down the line. Today was a good test."

Jason Chimera scored the lone goal of the contest, beating Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury blocker side with 4:35 to play in the opening period.

The goal came seconds after Pittsburgh forward Evgeni Malkin turned the puck over just inside the Washington blue line. Joel Ward then chipped the puck into the neutral zone where it was collected by Jeff Halpern, who then fed Chimera in the slot, setting up the eventual game-winning tally.

"We had just changed and we caught them extending their shift," Chimera told the Capitals Radio Network, "and a lot of times when you're tired, you can't come back -- you're not physically able to come back… I don't think the defenseman saw me coming in behind him and then Halpy made a great play and it was nice to see it go in."

Chimera now has 14 goals on the season, three behind Alex Ovechkin for the team lead, and three shy of his personal career high set in 2005-06 with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Capitals improved to 10-1-1 when scoring first and 13-0-0 when leading after two periods.

Washington also has won five straight games at home and seven of their last eight at Verizon Center. The Caps 15-5-1 record on home ice is tops in the Eastern Conference (the Boston Bruins also have 31 points at home but have played two more games in their home arena).

Catch the Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning Friday at 7 p.m. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 6:45 on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online at WFED.com.

Follow Ben Raby and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - The Capitals begin a four-game homestand tonight at Verizon Center when they meet the Pittsburgh Penguins for the third time this season.

The teams have split their first two meetings, with the Caps winning 3-2 in overtime in Pittsburgh Oct. 13 and the Pens returning the favor with a 2-1 win in Washington Dec. 1.

While the Caps and Pens have produced one of the NHL's premier rivalries since the 2005 work stoppage, tonight's game could be missing some of its usual luster.

The Caps return to D.C. following an 0-2 western road trip in which they were outscored 10-4, while the Penguins are just beginning a three-game road trip as they look to snap a season-long five-game losing streak.

"They're hungry," Caps head coach Dale Hunter said of the Penguins. "Everybody goes that way. But they'll be ready to play, just like us."

Like the Capitals, the Penguins are a banged-up bunch. Pittsburgh leads the NHL with 215 man games lost and the Pens will again be without captain Sidney Crosby (concussion), No.1 defenseman Kris Letang (concussion) and forwards Jordan Staal (knee) and Dustin Jeffrey (knee).

The Capitals, meanwhile, will again be without leading scorer Nicklas Backstrom (head) and No.1 defenseman Mike Green (groin). Backstrom was placed on injured reserve today and will miss his third straight game after taking an elbow to the head last Tuesday from Calgary's Rene Bourque.

Green left Saturday's game in San Jose after aggravating his previously injured groin. The 26-year-old has missed 24 of the past 26 games and 30 of the last of 32 overall.

Hunter said there is no timetable for either Backstrom or Green to return.

Catch the Capitals and Penguins tonight at 7:40. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 7:00 on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online at WFED.com.

Follow Ben Raby and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Hershey Bears defenseman Tomas Kundratek was packing up for a nine-hour bus ride to Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday afternoon when he was informed by Bears General Manager Doug Yingst that his travel plans were changing.

The 22-year-old Czech native got the news that every hockey prospect hopes to someday hear -- he was heading to "the show," promoted to the NHL for the first time in his pro career.

"I'm really excited," the newest Washington Capital told reporters Wednesday morning. "It's unreal."

Kundratek will make his NHL debut tonight as the Capitals (21-17-2) begin a four-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-16-4).

"He's been playing well down there," Capitals head coach Dale Hunter said of Kundratek. "We thought we'd give him the chance up here to see what he can do up here and get a good look at home."

Hunter describes the 6-foot-2-inch, 201-pound Kundratek as a good skater who moves the puck well.

"I like to do everything," Kundratek said. "I like to hit, I like to play good defense and I like to score."

The Capitals acquired Kundratek from the New York Rangers organization on Nov. 8 in a deal that at the time involved a pair of minor leaguers and former Caps prospect Francois Bouchard going to the Rangers.

Kundratek was buried on the Rangers' organizational depth chart and was being used sparingly with the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale.

"It was huge," Kundratek said of being traded to the Caps. "It was a tough position down in Hartford. I was a healthy scratch probably for seven games, so I was talking to my agent and he helped me get the trade, and since then I've been really excited and I've been enjoying hockey again."

In 21 games after joining the Bears, Kundratek had six goals and eight points. In his 77 total games with Connecticut since the start of the 2010-11 season, Kundratek had just two goals and 14 points.

"It was a really tough position there because they had a lot of really good players -- there's Wade Redden, Brendan Bell and a lot of older guys," he said. "There were nine defensemen also and I was the youngest and that's probably the reason why [I didn't play]. The coaches had a tough time, I was talking to them and they didn't even know what to do, it was a really tough position.

"I was waiting, waiting until probably it was the seventh game I was healthy scratched and I said, 'That's enough, I'm a young player and I need to play.' So I talked to my agent and he got me traded here."

Kundratek is expected to be paired tonight with fellow Czech and 19-year NHL veteran Roman Hamrlik.

"I just told him to keep it simple," Hamrlik said of his message to Kundratek. "Don't try to do too much, make the first quick pass and get some confidence early. I do remember my first game, I was so nervous, so hopefully if he's nervous too, I'll try to help him as much as I can."

Added Kundratek: "I was watching that guy since I was young so it's unreal. It will be a huge experience and I'm really looking forward."

Kundratek is also familiar with Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth, having played with him on the Czech national team at the 2008 World Junior Championships.

Catch the Capitals and Penguins tonight at 7:40. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 7:00 on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online at WFED.com.

Follow Ben Raby and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - The Capitals had only one prospect at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships, but Russia's Evgeny Kuznetsov proved to be the tournament's best.

Kuznetsov captained Russia to a silver medal and led the tournament in scoring with six goals and 13 points in seven games. He was also named to the tournament's all-star team for the second straight year, and was recognized as the tournament's most valuable player.

"The level of skill he has is eye-catching," TSN hockey analyst Ray Ferraro told WTOP. "The first thing I noticed is just the way that he skates - - he's got a real wide posture so when he's going up the ice it's such a powerful stride. When he gets into the open ice, that's where he's at his best."

Ferraro appeared in 1,258 NHL games spread over 18 seasons and covered the World Junior Championships -- held this year in Alberta, Canada -- for the first time in his broadcast career.

"He hangs on to the puck like [Penguins forward Evgeni] Malkin does," Ferraro said. "He's at the very high-end of talent in regard to his ability to skate with the puck. He's a transporter of the puck is the best way to put it."

Kuznetsov was the Capitals first round pick -- 26th overall -- in the 2010 entry draft, and is now in his third professional season in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. The Capitals expect Kuznetsov in North America full-time beginning next season.

"He should be here next year," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said midway through the tournament. "He's ready to play here and he needs to play in a better league" and not form bad habits.

"We don't want that stuff to become engrained, so get him to the best league you can and get working with him," McPhee added.

Ferraro does not anticipate Kuznetsov needing very much seasoning, if any at all, in the American Hockey League next season, but he notes that some of the bad habits McPhee may be concerned with may have already started to creep into Kuznetsov's game.

"I look at a player like Kuznetsov and I think he's just so good and so skilled, but the next level is about managing the puck and managing your time on the ice," Ferraro says. "He took some shifts that were two minutes long and of course that doesn't work at the next level."

According to Ferraro, as strong as Kuznetsov looked against the other teenagers at the World Juniors, the 6-foot, 172-pound right winger still has some maturing to do on the ice.

"Like most high-end skilled teenagers," Ferraro explained, "the work for him is going to be without the puck because you have it less in the NHL. There's just less room and less opportunity to get into the open ice and skate it."

The next phase for Kuznetsov is learning the "give-and-go game a bit more," says Ferraro. "Oftentimes the young guys don't give up [the puck] because they're not sure if they're going to get it back."

Kuznetsov finished second in scoring at the 2011 World Junior Championships. In 19 tournament games spread over the past three years, Kuznetsov has collected 12 goals and 26 points.

Like Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin also represented Russia at three World Junior Championships, captaining the team to a silver medal in 2005. In 18 tournament games from 2003 to 2005, Ovechkin racked up 18 goals and 25 points.

Kuznetsov's numbers may look similar to Ovechkin's, but so, too, are their personalities. Kuznetsov became public enemy No.1 in Canada not only because of his three-goal, four-point effort in the semi-finals against the host Canadians, but also for the way he carried himself on and off the ice.

"When he scores he's very exuberant," Ferraro said. "He's the most noticeable guy on the Russian team and when they won he was not scared to whoop it up."

This is not necessarily surprising given that he is just 19 years old, says Ferraro.

"I think it's a measure of having some guts -- he doesn't mind the spotlight," Ferraro says.

Catch the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 7 p.m. on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online www.wfed.com.

Follow Ben Raby and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

WASHINGTON -- When the Capitals and Rangers meet tonight for the second time this season (7:35 p.m. faceoff on WFED 1500AM & wfed.com), both teams will again be playing without their top defensemen.

The Rangers beat the Caps 6-3 in a Nov. 25 matinee at Verizon Center with New York playing without Marc Staal and Washington skating minus Mike Green.

Both all-star defensemen are nearing returns to their respective lineups, although it is doubtful that either will play before the new year.

Green took part in his first full practice yesterday since suffering a groin injury Nov. 11 in New Jersey, but there is still no timetable for his return.

Green has missed Washington's last 20 games and 26-of-27 overall dating back to late October. The Caps are 8-0-0 this season with Green in the lineup; 9-15-2 without him.

"I couldn't wait to get back out there and skate with the guys," Green said following yesterday's skate.

"It's been tough watching hockey and not being a part of it. So for me to get back out there and be a part of this and smile a little bit - I think I had a smile on my face the whole time I was out there. But it feels good. You don't realize how much you miss it until you're gone for a while."

The most encouraging sign of Green's participation in practice was his presence during the team's power play drills. The Caps PP ranks 19th in the NHL this season, clicking at 17.1 percent.

"It's been quite a while for him," Caps head coach Dale Hunter noted. "As a player you want to be out skating and in the drills, also -- not just skating by yourself. It's a good sign that a little power-play work and skating at the end hard."

Staal has yet to play at all this season as he continues to recover from post concussion symptoms but the Rangers blue liner was cleared for contact this week and is also be nearing a return.

While the Capitals have struggled mightily without Green, the Rangers enter play tonight in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-8-4 record despite going the entire season without Staal.

Without Staal in the lineup this season, defensemen Dan Girardi and Michael Del Zotto are among a group of New York blue liners who have picked up the slack. Both Girardi and Del Zotto came through Hunter's London Knights junior program in the Ontario Hockey League.

Catch the Capitals and Rangers at 7:35 p.m. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 7:00 p.m. on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online at wfed.com.

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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

WASHINGTON - Mike Knuble will skate in his 1000th career game Tuesday when the Capitals host the Nashville Predators at Verizon Center.

The Capitals will honor Knuble prior to the opening faceoff and all Caps players will wear jerseys with the No.22 in warm-ups. The jerseys will later be auctioned off for charity.

"I didn't really know that until I was on Twitter last night," Knuble said of his teammates plan to sport his jersey number. "I'm very happy with that and it will be flattering when you see the guys on the ice."

Knuble has scored at least 20 goals in eight straight seasons, a streak that could come to an end in April. Through 31 games this season, Knuble has three goals and nine points while skating primarily on Washington's fourth line.

While Knuble's offensive numbers may be down, he expects to have an extra jump in his step tonight with plenty of friends and family in attendance.

"It's a fun day, just try to enjoy the day," Knuble says. "There's still a game to play and I guess there will be some talk and fun before the game, but once the puck drops the game is on and you move on."

The Predators enter play Tuesday having won seven of their last 10 and five straight overall. Their last ten games have also all been decided by one goal.

The Capitals are 4-5-0 since Dale Hunter took over as head coach Nov. 28, but continue to struggle offensively. Washington has scored just once in each of its last three games.

Michal Neuvirth is expected to make his third straight start for the Caps, while backup Anders Lindback gets the nod for Nashville.

Projected lineups:

CAPITALS:

• Alex Ovechkin - Brooks Laich - Troy Brouwer
• Marcus Johansson - Nicklas Backstrom - Alexander Semin
• Jason Chimera - Brooks Laich - Joel Ward
• Matt Hendricks - Mathieu Perreault - Mike Knuble

Defensemen:

• Karl Alzner - John Carlson
• John Erskine - Dennis Wideman
• Dmitri Orlov - Roman Hamrlik

PREDATORS:

• Martin Erat - David Legwand - Craig Smith
• Sergei Kostitsyn - Mike Fisher - Patric Hornqvist
• Colin Wilson - Nick Spaling - Jordin Tootoo
• Matt Halischuk - Blake Geoffrion - Jerred Smithson

Defensemen:

• Ryan Suter - Shea Weber
• Francis Bouillon - Jonathan Blum
• Jake Hillen - Roman Josi

Catch the Capitals and Predators tonight at 7:05. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 6:45 on Federal News Radio, 1500 AM and online at wfed.com.

(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All rights reserved.)

Ben Raby, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - When the Capitals played at home this past Saturday, Capitals head coach Dale Hunter saw a familiar face in attendance. His one-time bench boss with the Caps - and current Ottawa Senators general manager - Bryan Murray was watching from the press box as the Caps and Sens played.

When the Capitals return to Verizon Center Friday to face the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of Hunter's former coaches will again be in the building.

Ron Wilson spent five seasons behind the Caps bench from 1997 to 2002, and is now in his fourth year as Toronto's head coach.

Hunter and Wilson meet for the first time tonight as opposing head coaches.

"Ron Wilson, he's a very organized coach," said Hunter who played for Wilson during his final two years in Washington from 1997-99.

"He's very thorough in what he does and what he expects from the players. Organization wise, he's very good at that. He likes speed. Toronto skates fast in the neutral zone, and it's a good quality to have."

Wilson has 1365 games of NHL coaching experience, Hunter just five. However, the two will be forever linked as the head coach and captain of the only Capitals team to reach the Stanley Cup Finals in franchise history.

"He was the captain of the team my first two years here and his role was [changing] as he was getting on in years," Wilson says.

"But we went to the [Stanley Cup] Finals my first year here and he had a lot to do that with his leadership. Guys who are leaders on the team and play the way that he played, they tend to be the guys that turn into coaches later on."

Hunter played all 82 regular-season games and all 21 playoff games during the 1997-98 season, the first in Washington for both Wilson and general manager George McPhee.

"He was a real warrior," Wilson told reporters in Toronto Thursday.

"At that point in his career, he was kind of a third or fourth liner. He didn't play that much, but he was a real leader in the room. He had an incredible sense of humor, a practical joker on the team. He's a great guy, a very down to earth person."

Catch the Capitals and Maple Leafs tonight at 7:05. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 6:45 on Federal News Radio, 1500 AM and online at wfed.com.

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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All rights reserved.)

WASHINGTON - Since his NHL debut in 2005, Alex Ovechkin has spent much of his career as one of hockey's most entertaining and unpredictable characters both on and off the ice.

There was the hole-in-one he shot in a 2006 charity golf tournament despite never having played a round of golf before.

There was his declaration upon receiving the key to the city in 2008 that there would be no speed limit in Washington, D.C.

Then were the on-ice antics that few saw coming - his sporting oversized sunglasses, an outback hat and a Canadian flag at the 2009 All-Star Skills Competition, and his laying his hockey stick down on the ice after scoring his 50th goal that year because it was supposedly so hot that it was on fire (at least that was Ovechkin's explanation).

Yet, for all the unpredictability since his rookie season, Ovechkin's play between whistles in recent years has become more and more, well, predictable.

The word is out - has been for some time. Ovechkin will break down the left wing through the neutral zone, gain the opposition's blue line, cut to the middle and look to fire a quick shot while using a defenseman as a screen. Some have referred to it as Ovechkin's patented curl and drag - his signature move.

But for all of its success (see Ovechkin's four 50-goal seasons), teams have it figured out. They know the curl and drag is coming and defensemen are playing Ovechkin accordingly - getting in the shooting lanes and taking away his time and space.

There are multiple reasons why Ovechkin was limited to a career-low 32 goals last season and is on pace for just 27 this year. The fact that defending teams have been able to successfully predict Ovechkin's curl and drag is chief among them.

"Yeah, for sure," Capitals Assistant Coach Dean Evason said of opponents catching on to parts of Ovechkin's game.

"There is so much game tape watched and so many ways that Ovi is being checked. Everybody knows that he's big and strong and shoots the puck and he gets so much back pressure. There are times when we see four people all around him and it's difficult for him."

That's why Evason and new head coach Dale Hunter are encouraging Ovechkin to find different ways to score.

"We watch videos of the defenses against him, so he's watching that, seeing that [defensemen] are standing up and giving him no room. So he has to create scoring chances in different ways," Hunter said.

If Wednesday's 5-3 win in Ottawa is any indication, the message seems to be getting through to the Caps' captain. Ovechkin played one of his most complete games of the season with seven shots on goal and a highlight-reel goal in the third period that may rank among the prettiest of his career.

With the game tied 2-2, Ovechkin collected the puck in his own end and began to generate speed through the neutral zone. He continued up the left wing, gained the Senators' blue line and rather than cut to the middle- that patented move - Ovechkin held the puck and continued to go wide.

Ovechkin was able to elude Erik Karlsson forcing the Senators defenseman to play catch up as Ovi continued around the net. When he emerged on the right side, Ovechkin quickly slammed on the brakes, losing Karlsson in the process.

With open space to shoot, Ovechkin pump-faked once then fired a wrist shot low glove side that beat Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson.

"He's trying to expand his game and make things work when he has time," said teammate Troy Brouwer. "He's trying to be as patient as possible and for him to get a goal [Wednesday] is good to see - a good confidence builder. Hopefully he can continue to play like he did [against Ottawa]."

Added Evason: "We're just trying to get him to have different looks, to pull up a little more, shoot from different angles, and go to different places on the ice and open himself up. He's doing a real good job of recognizing that and fitting it into his game."

While Ovechkin went wide and continued behind the net on his goal, he also went wide multiple times in the game before cutting to the middle once he was past the hash marks.

Ovechkin has also been using the right side of the ice more in recent games once he gathers the puck in the neutral zone and picks up speed.

"He was dangerous every shift," Mike Knuble said. "He was getting the puck on the outside on his backhand drove the net a couple of times and then when he did score he swung the net- swung the net and stopped- and their defensemen kept going and then he just got creative with the shot.

"He played with a lot of passion last night and was dangerous a lot of times on the ice. He was a huge factor and we'd like to see it more times than that. When he's like that it just brings everyone else along and carries you through the game."

Catch the Capitals vs. Maple Leafs, Friday at 7:05. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 6:45 on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM, and online www.wfed.com.

(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)