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Tarik breaks down the Caps loss against Jagr & Crew, and TSN serves up this tidbit from Hank:

''Another night at the office,'' Lundqvist said. ''It was an intense game. It felt like they were all over us a little bit.''

Ignoring his "another night at the office" quote, Hank is right - the Caps were all over them a bit. But after scoring 7 goals in their last game, they couldnt get anything over the crease this time around. No doubt that Lundqvist had something to do with that, but so did a PP that couldnt produce all night.

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Tarik talks to Chris Clark (apparently it was closer to 80 stitches to put his almost severed ear back together) who is not playing tonight in NYC. He joins Tom Poti and Alex Semin on that list.

Corey talks about Brian Sutherby's new role this year, or lack thereof.

"I knew right away early on in camp — I only played in three exhibition
games out of seven, and I played well in those games — it was something that
seemed like it was already decided before the season started and before training
camp even started," Sutherby said. "It seems like there was a plan going into
training camp, and I wasn't a part of it."

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Word on the street (well, the WaPo) is that Chris Clark, Alex Semin, and Tom Poti are all practicing in NYC, but no word yet on if any of them will play. Clark's ear required 60 stitches after it was hit by Ovie's slapshot.

And, the the NHLPA has finished another stage of its re-haul:

NHL players ratified a new constitution that significantly alters the way the union is governed, completing a lengthy review process that started with the dispute over the hiring of former executive director Ted Saskin.

The constitution, approved through a secret ballot and announced Tuesday, eliminates the National Hockey League Players' Association's executive committee, which was comprised of a president and six vice presidents.

In its place, the 30 club-player representatives will serve as equal voting members of an executive board.

UPDATE: Tarik says Clark, Semin and Poti are out. And, Clark also chipped a tooth in the game against the Canucks when Kevin Bikesa high sticked him. Ouch.

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Tarik has a really terrific wrap up of last night's game, and Corey does the same, with some interesting stats at the end of his article. Per Corey, last night was Mike Green's 100th game in the NHL. He looks like he has been playing a lot longer then that, no?

And, some other great news: DC Sports Chick has returned to blogging! I am very excited to continue reading her great writing.

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Tarik has a piece on Semin's return while Corey takes a look at the Caps pre-game rituals. Here's Glen Hanlon's response to Corey's question about the possibility of a player hurting himself during the Caps' pregame soccer bouts:

When I broke in [to the league], they use to smoke. So what do you think is better to get ready for a game?"

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This morning Tarik has word on Hanlon mixing up the lines to try to spark the Cap's offense. Clark is back to the first line with Ovie and Kozlov, and Dave Steckel takes his spot on the third line. So who steps into Steckel's spot? Career AHL'er Joe Motzko, who probably had one of the best nights of his NHL career on Saturday, playing on Ovie's line. Here is the always humble Clark on his promotion:

"I can't play any different because that will just get me in trouble," Clark said. "If I change anything, be more fancy, it's not going to work. Ovechkin and Kozlov have more than enough skill to bring me along."

And, looks like Semin might be back...

"If we were winning, and things were going perfectly, we wouldn't rush him back if he was a little out of shape," Hanlon said of Semin. "With saying that, if he gets clearance from our trainers, he'll be in our lineup, even if it's just to play the power play for a couple of shifts"

The Washington Times has a piece on the Caps blogosphere, and talks to the writers at some of my favorites, including a View from the Cheap Seats and On Frozen Blog.

Corey also follows the Cap's lack of offensive production.

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Tarik's take on the Islanders game, and apparently Jeff Schultz is headed to Hershey since he isnt getting any time up here. Remember, since Schultz is in the last year of his entry level deal, he can go back and forth to Hershey without having to pass through waivers. Creates some nice options for the Caps. Now, lets just hope that Jeff eats some chocolate while he is down there...or eats anything, in fact. He really needs to add some girth.

Also, a win with 12 shots last night? Hot damn.

Corey on the game last night, and is it me, or is Laichusfston really coming into his own? Along with John Erskine? Couldnt be better timing all around for the Caps.

around the papers

Tarik has an excellent article about the NHL salary cap and revenue sharing, plus he gives us a 2007 NHL Preview. One of my faves, Dan Steinberg, hits up Caps Media Day. Thats a damn lot of hockey for the WaPo, not that I am complaining.

Corey thinks that Milan Jurcian and Mike Green might be the other pieces rounding out the PP with Tom Poti and Brian Pothier.

Also per Corey, looks like Semin is probably fine. Bad news for Matt Bradley, who has been skating with Nylander and Backstrom.