Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman was selected for the NHL All-Star Game, which takes place Jan. 29. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals left wing Matt Hendricks (26) fights with Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Craig Adams (27) during the first period of an NHL game, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun (29) defends the goal against Pittsburgh Penguins center Tyler Kennedy (48) during the third period of an NHL game, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 1-0. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun (29) keeps his eye on the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Eric Tangradi (25) during the second period of an NHL game, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll, right, celebrates his goal as Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich reacts during the second period of an NHL game in Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Washington Capitals center Jeff Halpern battles Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson for the puck during the first period in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun allowed four goals on 27 shots against the Los Angeles Kings before being pulled after two periods. The Caps lost 5-2. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Washington Capitals right wing Mike Knuble (22) collides with San Jose Sharks defenseman Jason Demers (60) in front of goalie Antti Niemi (31) during the first period in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun is beaten for a goal on a shot by San Jose Sharks defenseman Jason Demers during the second period in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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The Washington Capitals have opted to take the cautious approach with Nicklas Backstrom after he took an elbow to the head Tuesday, so he'll sit against the San Jose SHarks on Saturda night. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has passed his final baseline test and is now close to returning to the lineup. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has 24 goals and 45 points this season. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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Washington Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun reaches out for the puck against Calgary Flames left wing Rene Bourque during the third period, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-1, and Bourque was suspended for his elbow to the head of center Nicklas Backstrom. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Calgary Flames left wing Curtis Glencross (20) battles for the puck against Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom on Jan. 3, 2012, during the third period of the Capitals' 3-1 victory in Washington. (Associated Press)

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Washington Capitals left wing Troy Brouwer celebrates his goal with the fans behind the glass during the second period of an NHL game against the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals' Cody Eakin (50) and Columbus Blue Jackets' Rick Nash (61) chase a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

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Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom celebrates his goal with teammates Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, in Washington. The Caps won 3-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals' Matt Hendricks lifts New York Rangers' Brandon Prust off the ice and away from the puck during the first period Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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New York Rangers' goalie Martin Biron has his vision blocked by teammate Ryan McDonagh (27) as Washington Capitals' Troy Brouwer (20) slips the puck slip past him during second period of their NHL game, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)