Boyd Gordon News

By loaning Michael Nylander to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, the Washington Capitals did more than just rid themselves of a distraction that had been lingering all season. The team with the best record in the NHL through Sunday's games also paved the financial way for both immediate and future improvement.

The Capitals gained the flexibility to make the kind of routine roster moves that Nylander's contract had made problematic and also cleared enough space under the salary cap to make a key addition before the trade deadline.

The Washington Capitals still have holes in their roster thanks to some long-term injuries -- Mike Knuble, Boyd Gordon and Quintin Laing will all be out for at least another week -- but those holes are up front.

TV/radio: CSN, AM-1500 Goalies: Capitals - Semyon Varlamov or Jose Theodore . Lightning - Antero Niittymaki or Mike Smith Injuries: Capitals - Out: RW Mike Knuble , LW Quintin Laing , C Boyd Gordon .

Alexander Semin returned to the Washington Capitals lineup Thursday night against Florida after a wrist injury.

Alexander Semin had two goals and two assists in his return from a wrist injury and the Washington Capitals hardly missed the suspended Alex Ovechkin , beating the Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Caps withstand Habs comeback Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec celebrates his goal on Washington Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov as teammate Mike Cammalleri is checked into the net by Capitals Milan Jurcina during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal, November 28, 2009.

Not even an apparent first-period injury to leading scorer Alex Ovechkin could slow down the Washington Capitals.

Alexander Ovechkin had a very interested observer in the stands, and he didn't disappoint.

The Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres are slipping in the Eastern Conference.

Alex Ovechkin didn't lose much ground in the scoring race as he sat out for six games, the longest stint the Washington Capitals forward has missed because of injury in his NHL career.

Mike Fisher's goal 1:14 into overtime Monday night completed the Ottawa Senators' third-period comeback in a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.

OTTAWA -- Depleted by injuries to nearly a third of the lineup, and weary from playing two games in two countries on back-to-back nights, the Washington Capitals were granted a reprieve Sunday.

Unfortunately for them, having a day off from practice to rest and regroup at a plush resort in suburban Ottawa might not do much to aid an injury-ravaged roster.

The Capitals could again be without seven players who were on the opening-night roster when they play the Senators at Scotiabank Place on Monday.

Some elite teams in action during Friday night's six games. The Capitals, standing atop the East, put their 10-4-7 regulation record up against the Canadiens' dismal 2-11-8 regulation mark.

Despite losing their last game, the Washington Capitals own the NHL's best home record.

The Washington Capitals will aim for a fourth consecutive victory tonight when they host the Minnesota Wild in an interconference clash at Verizon Center.

Alex Ovechkin isn't saying for sure, but all signs suggest his injury absence is over and he'll play against the New York Rangers.

Mathieu Perreault's hands were shaking as he put the phone down. He was out to lunch with his teammate and roommate, Francois Bouchard, when he got the call from Hershey Bears GM Doug Yingst.

Stream live Washington Capitals vs Minnesota Wild >> Watch live stream Washington Capitals VS Minnesota Wild NHL, United States of America 13 November, 2009 7:00 PM ET Last 10 matches: Minnesota 5-4-1; Washington 7-1-2 Its not yet Thanksgiving in the nation's capital and the Capitals stand poised to run away with the Southeast Division unless ...

Then the 2009-10 campaign began, and Fleischmann was forced to sit and watch because of a blood clot in his left leg.

It hasn't happened yet, but sometime, probably within a week, the Washington Capitals will officially announced that Michael Nylander has been loaned to Dynamo Minsk of the KHL, Russia's super league.