Practice: Feb. 2

Carey Price stones Alex Ovechkin in the shootout last night.

The Capitals were on ice this morning at 11 AM as they attempt to regroup from last night's awful defeat at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens.  The Capitals, after jumping out to a two goal lead within the first six minutes of the game, were unable to hold off the Habs and dropped a point they needed as the Eastern Conference tightens up.  The Capitals' futility in overtime and the shootout continued as well, as the Caps are 1-10 in their last 11 OT games.  If the Caps play just .500 hockey over that stretch, they are second in the Conference.  That just goes to show you how critical these points are (and how dumb the shootout is).  Sigh.  I sure hope they figure it out quick.
Some updates from Kettler Capitals Iceplex:
Alex Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov both took maintenance days and were not present at practice.  Varly deserves his day off after his great game last night, and Brett Leonhardt had his farewell skate with the Caps, playing goal alongside Michal Neuvirth before he leaves for Toronto later this month.  I have no idea why Ovechkin was absent: Ovie should be working on his game all day after the debacle he had last night.  Jason Chimera took his spot on the top line with Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Knuble.  Elsewhere, Alexander Semin took another full practice, skating alongside Mathieu Perreault and Brooks Laich on the second line.  Once again, however, there were no commitments on his status for Friday night's crucial game with the Lightning, although Bruce Boudreau did say that he was optimistic that Sasha will be well enough to lace up for that contest.  The Caps will need him to get healthy and round into form soon if they are going to unseat the Lightning at the top of the Southeast Division.  Tampa Bay currently holds a five point lead over the Capitals; both teams have played 52 games.

That's all for now.  Check back later.