Capitals Nicklas Backstrom (19) falls to the ice while team mate Alex Ovechkin (8) is defended against by Penguins Evgeni Malkin (71) and Paul martin (7) in the second period as the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburg Penguins at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, Thursday, December 1, 2011. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)