Caps set for second week without Ovechkin

The Washington Capitals begin their second week of games without two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin tomorrow night when they take on the New York Islanders at Verizon Center. The Capitals have gone 2-1-0 since Ovechkin suffered an upper body injury Nov 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After practice Monday morning at Kettler Capitals IcePlex, Ovechkin said he would not be able to play against the Islanders, but did not rule himself out for this weekend. The Capitals host the Minnesota Wild on Friday night then travel to New Jersey for their third meeting of the season with the New Jersey Devils.

The Capitals lost to the Devils Nov 3 at Prudential Center, 3-2, in their first game after Ovechkin's injury allowing two third period power play goals.

However, the Capitals looked much better in their next two games, both against the Florida Panthers. Washington defeated the Panthers 4-1 on Friday night in Sunrise, Florida, then used a five goal third period to overcome a one goal deficit in a 7-4 win Saturday night at Verizon Center.

Tomas Fleischmann led the way on Saturday scoring two of the teams' five third period goals. Fleischmann also tallied late in the 3-2 loss to New Jersey and scored twice in the second period of the Capitals 4-3 overtime loss to the Islanders at Verizon Center on Oct 30.

Continued solid play by Fleischmann will be key for the Capitals until Ovechkin is able to return.

Two players who have been quiet since Ovechkin's injury are star forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin. Though Backstrom does have three assists in the three games Ovechkin has missed, he has no goals.

Semin has been completely non-existent in Ovechkin's absence. Semin has zero points in the last three games, and needs to prove he can be productive without Ovechkin in the line-up especially since Semin is seeking a contract extension.