Gerber Impresses the Leafs as They Defeat the Capitals, 2-1

Toronto Goalie Martin Gerber was anxious to prove to his new team they made a good decision in picking him up off waivers. If he was nervous during his first game in a Leaf jersey, it didn't show. He stopped 37 shots from the Washington Capitals, and had a shutout for 59 of 60 minutes.

The Caps were without MVP Alex Ovechkin, who received a foot injury during practice on Wednesday. Their troubles were further compounded when Defenseman Tom Poti left the ice just seconds after the the puck dropped, courtesy of his ongoing battle with a groin injury. Coach Bruce Boudreau was then forced to make line adjustments throughout 60 minutes of play, as he sent Center Sergei Federov out to play on the blue line most of the game. At one point, Eric Fehr saw some ice time on D as well. It was an interesting night.

For the first time this season, neither the Caps nor their opponent scored during the first two periods. The Caps had several quality scoring chances during the first 40 minutes, but they couldn't get anything past Gerber. In the final period, the Caps failed to clear the puck from their own zone and in the resulting scramble the Leafs finally put one in the net. Just minutes later they scored again, and for the third game in a row the Caps found themselves needing a heroic comeback to get back in the game. It wasn't to be, though, as the Leafs continued to hold the Caps scoreless until the final minute of the game when Alexander Semin scored with an extra skater on for DC. As the final seconds ticked away, the Caps tried desperately to tie the game, with no success. Final score: Caps 1, Leafs 2.

If there are any bright spots for the Caps right now, they are Semin and Federov. Semin is on a five-game scoring streak and is clearly the most determined player on the ice. His efforts are visible on every shift as he fights for the puck and moves it into the defender's zone. He had 7 shots on goal last night, 2 hits, and 3 takeaways in over 24 minutes of ice time. Federov has also stepped up his game, showing the type of leadership you'd expect from a veteran with 3 Stanley Cups on his resume'.

Other good news for the Caps: Nicklas Backstrom appears to be improving his faceoff win %, as he has been over 60% for three of the last five games. Backstrom also picked up an assist on the Semin goal, bringing his point total to 69, which ties his total from last season. Goalie Simeon Varlamov is expected to return this weekend as the Hershey Bears take on the Toronto Marlies, and Defenseman Brian Pothier will also play for Hershey as he begins a conditioning stint to see if he'll be able to return to the Capitals after a 14-month recovery from a concussion injury. Caps fans will keep their fingers crossed that Pothier's health is back to 100% for his well-being as much as for what he would bring to the team.

Next up: Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins pay another visit to Verizon Center this Sunday at 3 p.m. Expect another hard-hitting, highly physical game as the most heated rivalries in the NHL are once again on exhibition. Let's just hope Ovi is back in action by then.

Leafs Pay the Caps a Visit, Minus One of Their Two New Goalies

The Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Verizon Center. Toronto picked up two goalies this week: Martin Gerber, formerly an Ottawa Senator, off waivers; and former Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig, courtesy of a trade deal with Tampa Bay. Don't expect to see Olie in net at Verizon Center, though; he's still recovering from arm surgery. In fact, it's possible Olie may never see ice time in a Leaf jersey. He stated a while back that he may end up retiring if his recovery doesn't go as well as planned.

Kolzig, a first round draft pick by the Capitals in 1989, spent 18 seasons in DC before heading off to Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2008. He started in net for the Lightning when they played in DC on November, losing to Brent Johnson and the Caps in a 4-2 decision.

Gerber is expected to start in goal tonight for the Leafs as primary goalie Vesa Toskala prepares for a little surgery of his own. Jose' Theodore is expected to get the start for the Caps tonight, after missing Tuesday's game against the Hurricanes due to illness.

Michael Nylander is expected to return to the Capitals' lineup tonight after being a healthy scratch four games in a row. No word on who will sit this one out instead.

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Congrats to Mike Green -- AGAIN!

Congratulations to Defenseman Mike Green on being selected the NHL's Second Star for the month of February. Mike set a new NHL record for defensemen by scoring goals in 8 consecutive games between Jan. 27 and Feb. 14. He was second in scoring among all players in the NHL for the month of February, racking up 20 points in 13 games. Mike currently leads all defensemen for the 2008-2009 season with 23 goals and 56 points, despite missing 13 games due to injury.

Way to go, Mike! A well-deserved honor!

No Trades for Caps

3:00 p.m. today was the deadline for NHL teams to trade players for the remainder of this season. The Caps elected not to make any last-minute trades. There had been rumors the Caps would try to get a veteran defenseman on the roster, such as Anaheim's Chris Pronger. Turns out the price was too high, so the Capitals' General Manager George McPhee decided not to pursue the trade.

A Day in the Life of Greenie

DON'T MISS "A Day in the Life" on NHL Network tonight at 7 p.m. as they follow Mike Green around for a day. Known for breaking NHL records and sporting a distinctive faux-hawk hairstyle, Mike gives viewers a taste of what life is like for one of the NHL's leading defensemen. He scores two goals in the game, after Alex Ovechkin tries to take his head off during a little pre-game hot rodding through the parking garage. It's all in a day's work.

The One That Got Away

Caps Vs. Flyers, part 3: Verizon Center, February 24. The Caps scored early, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom's goal at just 1:48 in the first. The next tally came from Alex Ovechkin in the second, and the Caps' maintained their 2-0 lead halfway through the third. Then the Flyers took over, scoring four consecutive unanswered goals and stealing this game from the Caps.

It was a strange game. The Caps had several short-handed scoring opportunities, but couldn't collect on any of them. In fact, the most distinctive sound heard in Verizon Center on Tuesday was the "ding" of the puck hitting the post and deflecting back onto the ice at least five times. Guys that appeared to have open shots couldn't find the net, and it turns out a two-goal lead wasn't sufficient to come away with a win.

The penalty minutes racked up quickly, as the refs seemed determined to call anything that bore any resemblance to an actual infraction. Both teams enjoyed 5-on-3 advantages at times during the game, but only Philly could capitalize. Overall, it was a much better outing for the Caps than when last they met the Flyers -- in Philadelphia on December 20, when they lost 7-1. It was no less a disappointment, however, as Philly is the only team in the Eastern Conference against which Washington has a losing record this season (1-2-0).

The Caps will face the Flyers once more in the regular season, on March 12 in Philadelphia.

Final score: Caps 2, Flyers 4.

Ovechkin Sends Penguins Packing With A Wave

Sid the Kid came to DC yesterday and had plenty to say. Throughout three periods of play at Verizon Center, Sidney Crosby tried to make his presence known with jabs -- verbal and physical. What he didn't do was bring his game. He had no goals and one assist in the game. Evgeni Malkin, NHL points leader and rival/friend of Alex Ovechkin, was also held to just one assist.

Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Sergei Federov, Shaone Morrisonn, and Brooks Laich scored goals in the decisive 5-2 win over the Penguins yesterday. The Pens' interim coach Dan Bylsma pulled goalie Marc-Andre' Fleury after the Caps went up 4-2 in the second period and replaced him with Mathieu Garon.

The Caps penalty kill was a major factor in the win. The Pens managed only one goal in eight power play chances totalling over 14 minutes, including almost a minute of 5-on-3. The Caps picked up two power play goals in three opportunities.

Crosby had a few choice words for Ovi at the end of the second period, as Ovi returned to the bench. Words and shoves were exchanged, and Ovi sent Crosby off to the locker rooms with a wave.

The Caps are now 3-0 against Pittsburgh this season. The two teams will meet one more time this season, on March 8 in DC.

The Russians were the stars of this game: Federov was named First Star, Ovi was Second Star, and Third Star went to Semin.

Final score: Caps 5, Pens 2 (W).