Washington Capitals

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Teammates surround Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin on March 15, 2012, as he lays on the ice after a collision with teammate Mike Knuble during a morning practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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It has been an eventful winter for Washington Capitals forward Keith Aucoin, a minor-league journeyman now in the midst of an NHL playoff run, a run made all the sweeter when his wife, Maureen, gave birth to son Brayden on Feb. 29. (Aucoin family)

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Washington Capitals forward Keith Aucoin has seven points in 15 games, but five have come in the last five games. (Associated Press)

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New York Islanders' Travis Hamonic (3) is checked by Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin during the first period of an NHL game in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The Capitals won 5-4 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun (29) deflects the puck in front of Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand in the third period of an NHL game in Boston, Saturday, March 10, 2012. The Capitals won 4-3. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) block a shot during the first period of an NHL game against Toronto, Sunday, March 11, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Washington Capitals center Mathieu Perreault celebrates his goal with teammate Alexander Semin, who assisted on the play, during the third period, Sunday, March 11, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) goes for the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Nikolai Kulemin looks on during the second period on Sunday, March 11, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Washington Capitals' Tomas Vokoun and Dennis Wideman celebrate beside Boston Bruins' David Krejci after beating the Bruins 4-3 in Boston, Saturday, March 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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Washington Capitals' Brooks Laich celebrates his power-play goal in the second period against the Boston Bruins in Boston on Saturday, March 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin (28) celebrates his goal with teammates Jason Chimera (25), John Carlson (74), Karl Alzner (27) and Mathieu Perreault (85) in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Boston, Saturday, March 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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The Washington Capitals sent defenseman Dennis Wideman to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a fifth-round pick and the rights to impending free agent defenseman Jordan Henry. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin checks Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman into the bench during the third period Thursday, March 8, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2 in overtime. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates his game-winning overtime goal with teammates Thursday, March 8, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals center Keith Aucoin celebrates his goal with teammates Joel Ward and Jeff Halpern during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, March 8, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green has three goals and three assists this season, all of which came in the first month of the season. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Defeated Washington Capitals players Mike Green (52) and Dennis Wideman (6) pass celebrating Carolina Hurricanes players Jay Harrison (44), Justin Faulk (28), Jeff Skinner (53), and Brandon Sutter (16), after their 4-3 overtime win Tuesday, March 6, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)