Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals players Matt Hendricks while on tour with the USO. (Courtesy Matt Hendricks)

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Goalie Braden Holtby, a playoff hero for the Capitals this past spring, is keeping sharp during the NHL lockout by playing with Washington’s top farm team, the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. (Associated Press)

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Capitals coach Adam Oates (second from left) was able to oversee prospects at development camp, then came the NHL lockout. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Washington Capitals Troy Brouwer fields questions from reporters during the Washington Capitals' last "Media Day" at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 14, 2012, following their elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs in Game 7 of the National Hockey League Eastern Conference Semifinals again the New York Rangers. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)

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In this photo taken on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin, left, of Russia, seen during the Continental Hockey League, or KHL, ice hockey match between Dynamo Moscow and Neftekhimik, in Moscow. Ovechkin has returned to his former Russian team Dynamo Moscow during the NHL lockout. The KHL team said in a statement Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, that they have signed the Capitals star to a contract that lasts until the lockout ends. (AP Photo/Alexander Safonov)

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The NHL season was set to begin Oct. 11 and the Washington Capitals' season Oct. 12. (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin, of Russia, enters the rink before the Continental Hockey League, or KHL, ice hockey match between Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Minsk, in Moscow on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. Ovechkin has returned to his former Russian team Dynamo Moscow during the NHL lockout. The KHL team said in a statement Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, that they have signed the Capitals star to a contract that lasts until the lockout ends. (AP Photo/Alexei Bezzubov, KHL)

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Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin, of Russia, enters the rink before the Continental Hockey League, or KHL, ice hockey match between Dynamo Moscow and Dynamo Minsk, in Moscow on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. Ovechkin has returned to his former Russian team Dynamo Moscow during the NHL lockout. The KHL team said in a statement Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, that they have signed the Capitals star to a contract that lasts until the lockout ends. (AP Photo/Alexei Bezzubov, KHL)

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Washington Capitals goalie Dany Sabourin in goal during an NHL preseason hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)