Tom Poti News

Fear not, angst-filled puckheads. Dr. LeBrun is here again this week to soothe you with therapeutic thoughts.

Rob Niedermayer battles with Washington's Tom Poti before later suffering an upper body injury.

The main early-season problems - discipline and blown third-period leads - were back Sunday for the Washington Capitals , but a more pressing issue was their hurting superstar.

In a city consumed with a national health-care debate, the Blue Jackets and Capitals limped out of the Verizon Center tonight after more than a few visits to their respective trainer's rooms.

Bruce Boudreau is happy with the performance of his new assistant coach, Bob Woods.

The Washington Capitals had a party for their season ticket holdersa 'all 14,000 of thema 'Tuesday night at Six Flags Amusement ParkA in suburban Maryland.A With the park shut down to paying customers, the fans were treated to all the roller coaster rides, autographs, andA hot dogs they wanted.

First it was letting up because of a five-goal lead. Then it was a parade to the penalty box.

Story line: The Rangers have won two straight and gotten 11 points from their top line of C Brandon Dubinsky , RW Marian Gaborik and LW Vinny Prospal .

One game after being criticized by their coach for not showing enough desire, effort was the least of the Washington Capitals ' problems at Joe Louis Arena.

For the first time in nearly two years as coach of the Washington Capitals, Bruce Boudreau stayed off the ice during practice.

No defenseman is going to play more than 700 NHL games, as Tom Poti has, or nearly 300, as John Erskine has, without having a bad night every now and then.

'It was pretty awesome,' says sniper from Prince Albert PRINCE ALBERT JOHN MACNEIL The Prince Albert Daily Herald Joel Broda was in select company as he tasted NHL life with the Washington Capitals.

Just not fair. Alexander Ovechkin, it would appear, is not only off to a fast start this season, he's doing it with a stronger, heavier and more unstoppable chassis.

Alex Ovechkin got a good start to the season as he had two goals and an assist to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins in the season-opener at TD Garden.

It was subtle but telling Tuesday when Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee complimented the Philadelphia Flyers for acquiring defenseman Chris Pronger, a player the Capitals mildly pursued before the March trade deadline.

Given how often teams deploy the dump-and-chase offense and how fast and ferocious forecheckers can be, the ability of a defenseman to retrieve the puck and make a quick, crisp pass to ignite a possession in the other direction is essential for offensive success.

The Washington Capitals are sticking to the philosophy that if it isn't broke, don't try to fix it.

Bruce Boudreau doesn't like using the term "utility player" to describe Brooks Laich, but in this case it isn't meant as a slight.

When it was time for the playoffs, Collins couldn't find a place in the lineup... for the Hershey Bears, Washington's American Hockey League affiliate.

This is the 18th installment of our 30 Teams in 30 Days feature, focusing on the Washington Capitals franchise.