Washington Capitals News

John Carlson(D)|WAS
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Based on similar players, it looks like Carlson might take a step back this season, which makes sense because he played against the toughest competition the team faced at even strength and dominated despite being a rookie. Performances like that are usually subject to some regression.

Carlson might be due for a regression before continuing his development into a very solid NHL defender. Last season he scored seven goals and 37 points through 80 games. He already holds one assist through two games but loses PP time to Dennis Wideman on the second unit.

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Capitals Insider 2011-10-11T22:02:54.000Z
John Carlson
Lars Eller(C)|WAS
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Eller-Engqvist-Palushaj

Eller will return to the lineup and start on the fourth line. Last year, the former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points over his first 77 games as a Hab. Expected to get the first crack at the top line, Eller continues to get some tough love and will need to re-earn his playing time.

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Arpon Basu 2011-10-11T11:18:13.000Z
Lars Eller
Alex Ovechkin(LW)|WAS
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“I think he’s got a long way to go to get to where he needs to be and should be,” Boudreau said after Ovechkin was a minus-2 in the Capitals’ wild 6-5 shootout win over the Lightning. “He’s our No. 1 player, but he can be better, there’s no doubt about it.”

The Caps are scoring at a higher rate again but Ovechkin is not contributing enough for coach Bruce Boudreau's liking. Through his first two games, the superstar has contributed to only one of the team's 10 goals and holds a minus-2 rating despite the teams +2 goal differential.

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CSN Washington 2011-10-11T08:08:39.000Z
Alex Ovechkin
Lars Eller(C)|WAS
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Lars Eller, who has recovered from off-season shoulder surgery, will return Thursday, and general manager Pierre Gauthier will have to summon a player from Hamilton or go hunting elsewhere.

Eller will return and play his first game of the season. Last year, the former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points over his first 77 games as a Hab. He should get the first crack at replacing Cammalleri on the top line.

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Montreal Gazette 2011-10-10T17:51:52.000Z
Lars Eller
Alex Ovechkin(LW)|WAS
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Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin is expected to arrive on a direct flight from Moscow to Washington-Dulles airport Friday afternoon and the club’s plan is to have him in the lineup Saturday night for its season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ovechkin could decide not to play the season opener, which would open the door for one of Marcus Johansson or Mathieu Perreault. Last season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.

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CSN Washington 2011-10-07T15:55:07.000Z
Alex Ovechkin
T.J. Oshie(RW)|WAS
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Working with Berglund and Stewart, two powerful forwards with considerable offensive ability of their own, should give Oshie ample room to operate.

Oshie starts the season on the second line but should produce regardless. Last season he scored 12 goals and 34 points through 49 games including nine PP. Expect all of those totals to improve with a full season with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-10-07T10:09:47.000Z
T.J. Oshie
Alex Ovechkin(LW)|WAS
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Alex Ovechkin will miss at least three days of practice while he attends to his family following the death of his uncle, but is hoping to return from Russia on Friday and play in the Capitals’ regular season opener Saturday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ovechkin will not miss a game due to his family tragedy. ast season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.

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CSN Washington 2011-10-04T18:23:14.000Z
Alex Ovechkin
T.J. Oshie(RW)|WAS
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"This is a situation that we've talked about," Payne said. "(Colaiacovo) is a guy that is effective there. But you look at a scenario where a guy (Oshie) gets in and does the job, that's where the internal pressure exists.

Oshie will start the season on the point of the top PP unit. Last season he scored 12 goals and 34 points through 49 games including nine PP. Expect all of those totals to improve with a full season with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-10-04T09:52:37.000Z
T.J. Oshie
Alex Ovechkin(LW)|WAS
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Alex Ovechkin will be returning to Moscow to attend to his family after the death of a close relative in Moscow, Russia

Early reports indicate Ovechkin will not miss the season opener. Last season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.

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Dmitry Chesnokov 2011-10-03T16:23:53.000Z
Alex Ovechkin
Lars Eller(C)|WAS
Injury
Injury
Eller still on the shelf: Centre Lars Eller, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, expressed optimism this week that he would be cleared for contact Friday, but coach Jacques Martin said it isn’t going to happen. While there’s still an outside chance Eller will be ready for the season opener Thursday in Toronto, he would do so without the benefit of any preseason games.

Eller scored seven goals and 17 points in his rookie season for the Habs. In his second season with the organization he is expected to move up to a full-time role on the third line. Expect him to make the jump, if healthy, to the 30 point range.

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Faceoff.com 2011-09-30T12:04:04.000Z
Lars Eller
T.J. Oshie(RW)|WAS
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Last season was interrupted by a serious injury that limited Oshie to 49 games, and he is still looking to get as many as 20 goals or 50 points in a season. So there is still room for him to “break out” in that manner.

The former 24th overall pick was on pace for 20 goals and 57 points last season. If he and his supporting cast can remain healthy, we could be looking at a 25 goal, 60 point season for the forward.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-09-29T16:10:49.000Z
T.J. Oshie
Nicklas Backstrom(C)|WAS
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Ovechkin and Backstrom were laughing and chatting before practice like two old buddies who hadn't seen each other in a while. They were wearing matching red jerseys, too, possibly indicating a reunion for Monday night's game against the Blue Jackets.

Good news for Backstrom owners who expected him to play on the top line by default. Coming off his worst professional season, the former fourth overall pick will be tested all season. Expect Marcus Johansson to occasionally sub in on the top line, taking value away from Backstrom.

Source:
Capitals Watch 2011-09-25T17:41:44.000Z
Nicklas Backstrom
Lars Eller(C)|WAS
Injury
Injury
Martin said. The former is “more advanced” and will likely be in contact drills next week.

Eller should be on track to make Opening Night, or return shortly after. The former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points in his first NHL campaign for the Habs. Expect a pretty drastic uptick in production this season.

Source:
Hockey Inside/Out 2011-09-22T15:02:18.000Z
Lars Eller