Caps News and Notes

Masking His Real Emotions

When Washington Capitals backup goaltender Brent Johnson entered the third period Wednesday night to relieve Olaf "noodle strainer" Kolzig, something about his equipment just wasn't right. The recently acquired Johnson was wearing his goalie mask he adorned while a member of the Phoenix Coyotes. The headgear was adorned with the Coyotes logo and an airbrushed scene of the Grand Canyon. Somebody get him some bald eagle stickers!


Semin's Reputation Stained Permanently?

For some reason, Alexander Semin doesn't want to play in Washington, but soon he may have few other options. According to The Washington Times - ironic that a right-wing publication writes about a left-winger - the 2002 first-round pick of the Capitals may soon be dumped by the Russian team for which he currently plays. Lada Togliatti is facing a serious money crunch and has already fired its general manager and some coaches. Semin is the highest-paid player on the squad, and his $2 million salary might be the hand that turns the doorknob on the exit door.

Not that the Caps are chomping at the bit for him to lace 'em up at the MCI Center. Semin has spurned the team once before, refusing to play for the Capitals by citing a military obligation that the team did not believe to be true and subsequently suspended him.

Semin remains the property of the Capitals for two more seasons.

Capitals' Momentum Shredded by Hurricanes

Whatever momentum carried over from the Caps' victory over the New York Rangers on Columbus Day evaporated in the third period of the team's 7-2 trampling at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. Washington's defensive lapses were once again exposed on the power play. The 'Canes, who were 0-16 on the man advantage before the Caps skated into town, converted on three power plays Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C. Alexander Ovechkin once again looked like a "men among boys," as one My NHL Insider reader recently called him, scoring his fourth goal of the young season. Goalie Olaf Kolzig has looked both outstanding and decrepid so far this year, and Wednesday night he appeared the latter.

The Capitals (2-3-0) don't have much time to correct their woeful penalty killing. They return to Washington to take on Miroslav Satan and the New York Islanders (1-2-0) at the MCI Center on Thursday evening. Plenty of good seats available.