Description: Alex Ovechkin played the final two games of Washington's series against New York with a broken left foot. SOURCE: Stephen Whyno, Washington Times
Insight: Ovechkin had a tough series and the foot problem may have had something to do with that. We'd expect Ovechkin to be a top-five pick in all fantasy formats next season.
Description: Caps left wing Martin Erat left Wednesday night's game against New York after hurting his arm in the first period. SOURCE: NHL.com
Insight: The Rangers have held Erat to just three shots on goal in the series. He'll have one day to heal up before Friday night's Game 5 in Washington.
Description: Washington Capitals winger Brooks Laich is doubtful for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Wednesday against the NY Rangers.
Insight: Laich put up 41 points last season (16 G, 25 A), but injured only allowed him to play nine games and score four points. He hasn't been on the ice since April 4.
Description: Capitals defenseman Mike Green scored the game-winning goal Saturday in Game 2 against the Rangers with 12 minutes remaining in the first overtime.
Insight: Green actually led all blueliners with 12 goals this season and had 26 points in 35 games. His tally Saturday was the only goal of the game for either team.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby is 2-0 with a 0.47 GAA in 128 minutes in two games against the Rangers this series.
Insight: Holtby shut out New York in 68 minutes Saturday afternoon to put the Capitals up 2-0 in the first-round series. He won 23 games with a 2.58 GAA and a .920 SV% during the regular season and was tremendous during the playoffs last season as well.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made 35 saves on 36 shots to win Game 1 against the Rangers Thursday night.
Insight: Holtby had an up-and-down season but he finished strong with a 2.29 GAA in March and a 2.16 GAA in February to lead Washington to a division title and a No. 3 seed. He went 7-7 with a 1.95 GAA and a .935 SV% in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Description: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin led the NHL with 32 goals this season.
Insight: Ovechkin had 24 goals and 41 points in his last 29 games of the season and finished with 56 points in 48 games. He also led the NHL in SOG with 220.
Description: Mike Green was involved in all three Washington goals Saturday in a 3-2 win over Boston.
Insight: He scored twice in the third period and then assisted on Eric Fehr's game-winner in overtime. Green finished the season with 26 points, 16th-best among NHL defensemen.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will start Thursday's game against the Senators.
Insight: The Caps already have clinched the Southeast Division and the No. 3 seed in the East, so they can rest Braden Holtby. Neuvirth has a 2.81 GAA in 12 appearances this season.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist Tuesday against Winnipeg.
Insight: Backstrom has four points over the last two games and 48 points in 46 games this season. It's the fourth time in the last five seasons he has performed at a 1.0 ppg pace.
Description: With two goals Saturday against the Canadiens, Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin reached 30 goals for the eighth straight season.
Insight: Ovechkin is leading the NHL in goals and has 51 points in 45 games. Twenty-two of his goals and 36 of his points have come over his last 26 games.
Description: Capitals center Mike Ribeiro stayed hot with three assists Saturday night against Montreal.
Insight: Ribeiro had just seven points in 15 games from March 9 to April 4, but he has 12 points over his last eight games. That gives him 13 goals and 47 points in 45 games.
Description: Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer scored two goals Saturday and has six over his last five games.
Insight: Brouwer had 18 goals last season in 82 games, and he has 19 this year in just 44 games. He could threaten his career high of 22 goals if he stays hot.
Description: Capitals center Mike Ribeiro has compiled eight points over his last six games.
Insight: Ribeiro had just seven points in 15 games from March 9 to April 4 after playing at a pace better than 1.0 ppg over the first month and a half of the season. He now has 12 goals and 31 assists in 43 games.
Description: Washington defenseman John Carlson had a pair of helpers Tuesday against the Maple Leafs.
Insight: Carlson has averaged 34.5 points per 82 games over the last two seasons and he is ahead of that with six goals and 22 points through 42 games this season.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will be back in the crease Thursday against the Hurricanes after sitting out two straight games.
Insight: Holtby has won his last three starts and owns a 2.71 GAA and .914 SV% this season. He is 2-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .941 SV% in three starts against Carolina in 2013.
Description: Washington left wing Alex Ovechkin lit the lamp twice Sunday in a win over the Lightning.
Insight: By doing so, Ovechkin was able to tie Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for the league-lead in goals (25). The former Hart Trophy winner has been red hot recently. This weekend alone Ovechkin produced five goals and one assist.
Description: Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist Saturday against the Panthers.
Insight: Ribeiro was due for a slump after playing at better than a point-per-game pace over the first two months, and getting dropped off Alex Ovechkin's line didn't help. He came into Saturday's game with zero points over his last four games and seven over his last 15.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom made it another three assists Saturday against Florida.
Insight: Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin were reunited on the team's top line in mid-March and it has allowed Backstrom's fantasy value to soar. He has three goals and 14 assists over his last 11 games and six goals and 33 assists in 38 games this season.
Description: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin contributed his second hat trick of the season and also had one assist Saturday against Florida.
Insight: Ovechkin was obviously making up for his nine-game scoring streak coming to an end on Thursday. Ovechkin has 13 goals and 19 points over his last 11 games and 23 goals and 41 points in 38 games this season.
Description: Capitals winger Martin Erat left Saturday's game against the Panthers after being hit into the boards. Erat's head slammed off the boards and his left leg was contorted upon impact, according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post.
Insight: Erat was playing in his second game since being acquired from Nashville at the trade deadline. He has 21 points in 37 games.
Description: Washington Capitals winger Brooks Laich (lower body) is questionable for Saturday's game against Florida.
Insight: Laich put up 41 points last season (16 G, 25 A), but has been a huge disappointment this season - playing just nine games and scoring four points.
Description: Nashville has traded Martin Erat and Michael Latta to the Washington Capitals for prospect Filip Forsberg.
Insight: After producing 0.72 ppg over his previous eight seasons, Erat's output has slipped to 0.58 ppg in 2012-13. There's a place for him on Washington's first or second line, both of which are better than the group he was playing with in Nashville.
Description: Capitals defenseman Mike Green chipped in two more goals Tuesday against Carolina, giving him four in the last three games.
Insight: Green dealt with a groin injury for more than a month and only played two games from Feb. 15 to March 20. He returned March 21 and has produced five goals and six points over the last six games.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom assisted on four of Washington's five goals Tuesday against the Hurricanes and finished the night with a +3.
Insight: Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin have been reunited on the team's top line since mid-March and it has allowed his fantasy value to soar. He has three goals and 10 assists over his last nine games and six goals and 29 assists in 36 games this season.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has allowed 11 goals over his last three starts but he'll get another chance Tuesday against the Hurricanes.
Insight: One of Holtby's four shutouts this season have come against Carolina, but he has been extremely inconsistent and is difficult to trust in fantasy leagues unless he is playing the Winnipeg Jets (3-0, 0.33 GAA, two shutouts in last three starts against them).
Description: Capitals defenseman Mike Green has two goals, three points and eight SOG over the last two games.
Insight: Green dealt with a groin injury for more than a month and only played two games from Feb. 15 to March 20. He returned March 21 and has produced three goals and four points over the last five games.
Description: Washington center Marcus Johansson had two points -- one goal, one assist -- and three SOG Sunday against Philadelphia.
Insight: Johansson was linked up with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in early March and the favorable position has led to four goals and 10 points over his last nine games.
Description: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin needed 22 stitches to close a gaping wound on his chin after being struck by a puck during Thursday's practice and is probable for Saturday's game against Buffalo.
Insight: Ovechkin laughed it off on his Twitter account and even posted before-and-after photos of the wound. The star winger has been on fire with eight points over his last four games.
Description: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin needed 22 stitches to close a gaping wound on his chin after being struck by a puck during Thursday's practice. SOURCE: Washington Post
Insight: Ovechkin laughed it off on his Twitter account and even posted before-and-after photos of the wound. The star winger has been on fire with six goals and 10 points over his last six games.
Description: Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro scored goal No. 11 Tuesday against the Islanders.
Insight: Ribeiro has managed to score 11 goals this season despite taking just 41 SOG. That's an unsustainable rate over an 82-game season, but in 48 games anything is possible. He also has 24 assists to give him 35 points in 33 games.
Description: Washington defenseman John Carlson had one of his team's two goals Tuesday against the Islanders.
Insight: Carlson has averaged 34.5 points per 82 games over the last two seasons and he is ahead of that with five goals and 16 points through 33 games this season. The blueliner is on a four-game scoring streak.
Description: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin extended his goal streak to five games Sunday in a shootout win over New York.
Insight: He finished with one goal and an assist in just over 20 minutes of ice time. Ovechkin also netted a goal against Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist in the shootout. He's taken at least five shots in each of his last three games.
Description: Washington left wing Alex Ovechkin knocked in two goals Friday in a blowout win over Winnipeg.
Insight: Ovechkin is on a roll. He's scored a goal in each of his last four games and has now tallied 14 points since the start of the month. Now if only he could raise that plus/minus rating a little bit (-5 for the season).
Description: Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer had his 11th goal of the season Thursday against Winnipeg.
Insight: Brouwer had just 33 points in 82 games last season despite getting a lot of playing time with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. He has been much more impressive this season with 21 points in 29 games.
Description: Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in three straight games and four of the last five. He had a goal and two assists Thursday against the Jets.
Insight: Ovechkin has five goals and 11 points in 11 games this month and has performed at a point-per-game pace over his last 23 games. Playing with Nicklas Backstrom again should help him keep it up.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom scored his fourth goal of the season Thursday against Winnipeg. He added assist No. 22 and three SOG.
Insight: Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin have been reunited on the team's top line over the last few games after being split up in midseason. Obviously, being with Ovechkin is a better arrangement for Backstrom's fantasy value.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby came up with his fourth shutout of the season Thursday against Winnipeg.
Insight: Holtby is tied for second in the NHL in shutouts with Mike Smith of Phoenix. Unfortunately, Holtby has been spotty in his other starts and owns a 2.77 GAA.
Description: Capitals defenseman Mike Green (groin) says he is ready to return to action, but he will be questionable for Thursday's game. SOURCE: Washington Times
Insight: Green (7 points in 16 games) has missed 10 straight games and 13 of the last 15 with a groin injury. He hasn't been able to stay healthy over the last three seasons after posting 19 goals and 76 points over 75 games in 2009-10.
Description: Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 11 Sunday against Buffalo.
Insight: Ovechkin took five SOG, giving him 116 for the season, but he has scored at a rate of 9.5 percent, the second-lowest mark of his career. It looks like we may never see the 50-goal, 100-point Ovechkin ever again.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will start in Washington's game against Boston Saturday afternoon, according to the Washington Times.
Insight: The Capitals started the season giving both Neuvirth and Braden Holtby an even share of the work, but Holtby has been getting most of it of late. Neuvirth is 2-4-1 this season with a 2.86 GAA and a .900 save percentage.
Description: Capitals defenseman Tomas Kundratek will miss Saturday's game against Boston due to a lower body injury. He has returned to Washington for an MRI.
Insight: The Capitals are already thin at the blueline with Mike Green and John Erskine sidelined, so this won't help goalie Braden Holtby. Kundratek has seven points in 25 games this season.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will sit out Thursday while Michal Neuvirth gets his first start since Feb. 7.
Insight: Neuvirth and Holtby traded the starting job earlier this season but Holtby has been the clear-cut No. 1 over the past month. However, Holtby has stumbled a bit with two straight losses and a 3.91 GAA.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will miss Saturday's game against the NY Islanders due to illness.
Insight: The Capitals started the season giving both Neuvirth (1-4-1, 3.05 GAA, .889 SV%) and Braden Holtby similar workloads, but Neuvirth seems to have lost his chances after being pulled from a game with Pittsburgh on Feb. 7.
Description: After being a healthy scratch for the first few games of March, Wojtek Wolski has scored two goals with two assists in his last two contests.
Insight: Wolski was skating on the second line earlier this season but has been replaced by Eric Fehr recently. He dressed Tuesday with Troy Brouwer out with an illness and earned another start. He'll probably be in and out of the lineup going forward.
Description: Washington right wing Eric Fehr has scored a goal in each of his last two games.
Insight: Fehr has five points in his last three contests. He had a similar streak in mid-February before going cold so that will probably happen again.
Description: Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro had a goal and two assists Thursday against Florida.
Insight: Ribeiro has nine goals despite taking just 31 SOG, an unsustainable 29 percent success rate. Still, even when his percentage declines he'll still be able to satisfy fantasy owners with his assists -- he has 19 in 22 games.
Description: Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin scored his ninth goal of the season and added two assists Thursday against Florida.
Insight: Ovechkin took four SOG and was a plus-3 on the night. He hadn't scored a goal since his hat trick on Feb. 23 but he did have an assist in three of the last four games prior to Thursday and he has been taking plenty of SOG.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will start Thursday for the 11th straight time.
Insight: Michal Neuvirth hasn't played since Feb. 7 as Holtby has reclaimed the starting job. He is 7-3 with a 2.20 GAA and three shutouts over his last 10 games.
Description: Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer (illness) practiced Wednesday and is expected to return to action Thursday after missing Tuesday's game.
Insight: Brouwer has been skating with Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Fehr on Washington's second line recently. His absence allowed Wojtek Wolski, a healthy scratch for the last few games, to return and score a goal.
Description: Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro scored another goal Tuesday with three SOG.
Insight: Ribeiro played at a superstar level in February with five goals and 14 points in 12 games and he has kept it up with two goals and three points in his first two games of March. He's been the most consistent fantasy threat on Washington this season.
Description: The Capitals have placed defenseman Mike Green (groin) on injured reserve. SOURCE: Katie Carrera, Washington Post
Insight: Green (7 points in 16 games) missed three games in February with the same injury before returning for two games. He's a former elite fantasy defenseman but hasn't been able to stay healthy since 2009-10.
Description: Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer (illness) will miss Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins.
Insight: Brouwer has been skating with Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Fehr on Washington's second line recently. Wojtek Wolski was skating in Fehr's spot earlier this season but he has been a healthy scratch the last couple of games. He could see action Tuesday.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby blanked the Jets Saturday for his third shutout of the season.
Insight: He's been alternating between really good and really bad games recently and it's possible Winnipeg just caught Holtby on the wrong day. Holtby (35 saves) is capable of putting up zeros any time he takes the ice. He just needs to show fantasy owners more consistency.
Description: Washington center Mathieu Perreault is questionable for Saturday's game against Winnipeg with a lower body injury.
Insight: Perreault has seven points (2 G, 5 A) in 13 games anchoring the Caps' third line. His time on the ice is limited by the high quality of the two centers in front of him (Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Ribeiro), but Parreault has played well this season.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth is questionable for Saturday's game against Winnipeg due to illness.
Insight: The Capitals started the season giving both Neuvirth (1-4-1, 3.05 GAA, .889 SV%) and Braden Holtby similar workloads, but Neuvirth seems to have lost his chances after being pulled from a game with Pittsburgh on Feb. 7.
Description: Capitals defenseman Mike Green missed Friday's practice with a groin injury and is questionable for Saturday's game against Winnipeg.
Insight: Green has previously missed a week with a groin injury. He's averaging close to a point every two games this season (seven points in 16 appearances). He was once one of the league's best fantasy defensmen posting 73 and 76 points in 2008 and 2009.
Description: Washington netminder Braden Holtby struggled mightily Wednesday in a loss to Philadelphia (four goals allowed on 18 shots).
Insight: It's been a Jekyll and Hyde act all season for Holtby. Tuesday against the Hurricanes he looked phenomenal (33 saves, zero goals allowed). Wednesday he was pulled from the game about halfway through the second period. Perhaps he'll fare better Saturday afternoon against Winnipeg.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will not be available for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia due to illness.
Insight: The Capitals started the season giving both Neuvirth (1-4-1, 3.05 GAA, .889 SV%) and Braden Holtby similar workloads, but Neuvirth seems to have lost his chances after being pulled from a game with Pittsburgh on Feb. 7.
Description: One day after agreeing to a two-year, $3.7 million contract extension, Capitals goalie Braden Holtby blanked the Hurricanes on 33 shots Tuesday night.
Insight: Holtby gave up 21 goals in 266 minutes (4.74 GAA) over his first five appearances this season but he has turned it around with five wins, a 2.01 GAA and two shutouts over his last seven starts.
Description: Washington winger Jason Chimera (lower body) is expected to be active for Tuesday's game.
Insight: Chimera has yet to put the puck in the net, but does have seven assists, 31 shots and 14 penalty minutes. Still, he's not producing enough to warrent being on a fantasy roster.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (illness) participated in the morning skate Tuesday and said he plans to play against the Hurricanes tonight.
Insight: Backstrom only has one goal through 17 games but he has made up for it with 12 assists and 29 SOG. He isn't playing at his 101-point level of 2009-10 but he's still a valuable fantasy forward who can explode at any time, particularly if Alex Ovechkin gets hot.
Description: Washington winger Jason Chimera is questionable for Tuesday's game against Carolina with a lower body injury.
Insight: Chimera has yet to put the puck in the net, but does have seven assists, 31 shots and 14 penalty minutes. Still, he's not producing enough to warrent being on a fantasy roster.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is questionable for Tuesday's game against Carolina due to illness after missing Monday's practice.
Insight: Backstrom only has one goal through 17 games but he has made up for it with 12 assists and 29 SOG. He isn't playing at his 101-point level of 2009-10 but he's still a valuable fantasy forward who can explode at any time, particularly if Alex Ovechkin gets hot.
Description: Capitals goalie Braden Holtby agreed to a two-year, $3.7 million contract extension on Monday.
Insight: Holtby was terrific last year in the postseason (1.95 GAA in 14 starts) but this year it's been more of a mixed bag (5-6, 3.37 GAA, .896 save percentage). He'll be between the pipes Tuesday when the Capitals host the Hurricanes.
Description: Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin scored three goals Saturday against New Jersey for his 11th-career hat trick. Ovechkin added an assist and got off seven SOG.
Insight: This performance comes after he went three games without a point. He now has eight goals and 14 points in 17 games. Ovechkin has attempted 53 SOG in 10 games this month after taking just 22 in seven January games.
Description: Capitals blueliner Mike Green is questionable for Saturday's game against New Jersey with a lower body injury. He's expected to be a game-time decision.
Insight: Green (seven points in 14 games) skated in Friday's practice. Fantasy owners are still waiting for him to return to the high-scoring days of 2007-2009 when he averaged 68.3 points a season. He's got a pair of goals and five assists in 14 games this year.
Description: Washington center Marcus Johansson is questionable for Saturday's game with New Jersey with an upper body injury. He's already missed five games in a row.
Insight: Johansson isn't scoring much (one goal, zero assists) and his -7 rating isn't pretty. There are plenty of centers out there with better statistics for fantasy owners to pick up.
Description: Capitals blue liner Mike Green is questionable for Saturday's game against New Jersey with a lower body injury. He's expected to be a game-time decision.
Insight: Green (seven points in 14 games) skated in the morning practice Thursday, but didn't play in the game. Fantasy owners are still waiting for him to return to the high-scoring days of 2007-2009 when he averaged 68.3 points a season. he's got a pair of goals and five assists in 14 games this year.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will start Thursday against the Devils.
Insight: Thursday will be the fifth straight game Holtby has started over Michal Neuvirth after some controversy earlier this season. Holtby is 3-1 with a 2.51 GAA over his last four starts.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will start Sunday when Washington takes on the Rangers.
Insight: Holtby has won three straight starts despite allowing eight goals in his last two. Sunday will be his fourth start since Michal Neuvirth last played.
Description: Capitals blue liner Mike Green traveled with the team but it's still uncertain whether he'll play or not Sunday against the Rangers.
Insight: Green (seven points in 14 games) left Thursday's game with a lower body injury. He practiced in a limited capacity on Saturday. Tom Poti (one assist in five games) will take Green's spot in the lineup if Green is unable to play on Sunday.
Description: Washington defenseman Tom Poti is questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Rangers with an upper-body injury.
Insight: Poti hasn't been a fantasy factor since 2009 with he posted 24 points with a +26 rating. He's got one assist in five games this season with a -4 rating.
Description: Washington center Marcus Johansson is questionable for Sunday's game against the NY Rangers with an upper body injury.
Insight: Johansson isn't scoring much (one goal, zero assists) and his -7 rating isn't pretty. There are plenty of centers out there with better statistics for fantasy owners to pick up.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will get a third consecutive start Thursday night against the Lightning despite giving up five goals to the Panthers on Tuesday.
Insight: Holtby shut out those same Panthers on Saturday and managed to win again Tuesday, 6-5. It appears he has reclaimed the starting job from Michal Neuvirth but that could change if he gets roughed up Thursday against a Tampa Bay team that has struggled to score lately but still leads the NHL in goals.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom tallied two assists Tuesday against the Panthers. He finished with three SOG and a plus-1 differential.
Insight: Backstrom only has one goal through 13 games but he has made up for it with nine assists and 26 SOG. He isn't playing at his 101-point level of 2009-10 but he's still a valuable fantasy forward.
Description: Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro has nine points over his last five games. He scored a goal and had two assists Tuesday against Florida.
Insight: Ribeiro had eight points in seven January games so he was already playing well but he has managed to play even better in February. He's scored a goal in four of the last five contests.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will start Tuesday against the same team he blanked Saturday night, the Florida Panthers.
Insight: Prior to Saturday, Holtby had been tagged for 21 goals in 266 minutes, but his shutout of Florida likely helped him regain the starting job from Michal Neuvirth.
Description: Washington defenseman Tom Poti is questionable for Tuesday's game against Florida with an upper-body injury.
Insight: Poti will skate pre-game to determine whether he'll play, but he hasn't been a fantasy factor since 2009 with he posted 24 points with a +26 rating. He's got one assist in five games this season with a -4 rating.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby shut out Florida with 27 saves Saturday night in a 5-0 win.
Insight: Even though it came against the punchless Panthers, this is a nice step forward for Holtby. Prior to Saturday, Holtby had been tagged for 21 goals in 266 minutes, but this should go a long way towards helping him hold off Michal Neuvirth.
Description: Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal and had his fourth assist of the season Thursday night against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Ovechkin factored into both of Washington's goals in a 5-2 loss. The superstar is finally playing like his old self, attempting 22 SOG over his last four games.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will get his second straight start Tuesday versus Pittsburgh.
Insight: The Capitals seem to be giving their goaltenders starts in streaks instead of alternating one game at a time. Braden Holtby started the first two games and Neuvirth got the next five before Holtby got two more. Holtby and Neuvirth have allowed a combined 36 goals in 600 minutes (3.60 GAA).
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will defend the net Tuesday against the Maple Leafs.
Insight: It's his first start since Jan. 31. Braden Holtby beat the Flyers on Feb. 1 with 29 saves on 31 chances to earn another start two days later but he gave up six goals to the Penguins. If you are forced to pick a Capitals goaltender, go with Neuvirth, but right now neither guy is a good fantasy option.
Description: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin took five shots on goal Sunday against the Penguins but came up empty. He did have one assist, two penalty minutes and a plus-1 differential, however.
Insight: Ovechkin has had a frustrating start to the 2012-13 season -- four points in nine games. His SOG have slipped from a ridiculous 6.7 per game in 2008-09 to 5.1 in 2009-10, 4.6 in 2010-11 and 3.9 last season. He's taking an average of 3.8 SOG this season.
Description: Capitals blue-liner John Erskine has been supended three games by the league for elbowing Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds in the head during Friday night's game.
Insight: Erskine has never scored more than four goals in a season and is owned in less than one percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. He'll be eligible to return next Saturday against the Panthers.
Description: Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby held Philadelphia to two goals on 31 shots in a 3-2 win Friday night.
Insight: Holtby hadn't played since allowing 10 goals in the first two games of the season as the team opted to go with Michal Neuvirth for the last five games. Holtby's effort Friday should help to make this more of an even split in net for the Capitals going forward.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom scored his first goal of the 2012-13 campaign Friday against the Flyers and added his fifth assist.
Insight: Backstrom is a former 100-point player and he put up more than a point per game last season in 42 games. He's not a big-time scorer but he can certainly provide a strong number of assists when the Capitals' offense is playing well.
Description: For the first time since the second game of the season, the Capitals will start Braden Holtby in net. He'll oppose Philadelphia on Friday.
Insight: Holtby gave up 10 goals in 119 minutes in the first two games of the season and hasn't played since. Michael Neuvirth has been mediocre so Holtby still has a chance to regain the job.
Description: Washington Capitals winger Brooks Laich (groin) took part in Thursday's morning skate, according to a Washington Post report. However, the team has still not announced a timetable for his return.
Insight: Laich put up 41 points last season (16 G, 25 A) in a conservative offense and will be surrounded by very good talent on the second line when he returns.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will protect the net against the Senators Tuesday night.
Insight: This will be Neuvirth's fourth straight start after Braden Holtby bombed in the first two. Neuvirth has a 2.92 GAA and .889 SV% this season and is a low-level No. 2 option.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will get the start Sunday against the Sabres. Washington will try to right the ship after an 0-3-1 start.
Insight: Neuvirth has seemingly overtaken Braden Holtby as the team's starter but he hasn't been much better. After Holtby allowed 10 goals on 73 shots in the team's first two games, Neuvirth has started the last two and allowed seven on 57 shots. Neither player should be trusted in fantasy.
Description: Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth will start Thursday against the Canadiens. SOURCE: Stephen Whyno, Washington Times
Insight: Neuvirth will be making his first start of the season. He can't do much worse than Braden Holtby, who went 0-2 with a 5.03 GAA in the first two games.
Description: Capitals forward Wojtek Wolski skated on the top line Thursday during the morning skate in place of the demoted Marcus Johansson. SOURCE: Washington Post
Insight: Wolski has a goal on six shots in two games this season. He has never scored more than 22 in a season and that came all the way back in 2006-07 with Colorado. He's someone to keep on your radar, however, since he'll be skating with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin.
Description: Washington winger Alex Ovechkin had his first point of the 2012-13 season Tuesday against Winnipeg, an assist on a Matt Hendricks goal in the first period.
Insight: Ovechkin attempted four shots on goal for the second straight game.
Description: Capitals netminder Braden Holtby has given up 10 goals on 73 shots over his first two games.
Insight: Holtby has been pegged to start both games this season and has lost both of them. We should see backup Michael Neuvirth get at least one start with a back-to-back coming up on Friday/Saturday.
Description: Washington Capitals winger Brooks Laich (groin) is skating on his own, but still not ready to return to the ice.
Insight: Laich put up 41 points last season (16 G, 25 A) in a conservative offense and will be surrounded by very good talent on the second line when he returns. He's still 7-10 days away, according to all accounts.
Description: Capitals netminder Braden Holtby will start the season opener versus Tampa Bay. SOURCE: Ben Raby, Capitals Radio Network
Insight: Holtby and Michael Neuvirth are expected to split time this season after former starter Tomas Vokoun was traded to Pittsburgh. That will limit the fantasy value of both players, though both could win 10-plus games for a Washington team that made the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season.
Description: Washington Capitals winger Brooks Laich is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a strianed groin
Insight: Laich put up 41 points last season (16 G, 25 A) and with the team's new coach looking for more offense he could certainly exceed that - if healthy.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is questionable for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay with a bruised neck.
Insight: Backstrom suffered the neck injury after falling into the boards during a game with Dynamo Moscow on Dec. 26. The center missed 40 games with a concussion last season so any injury from the neck up is a cause for concern. With the Capitals emphasizing offense once again, Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin should be fantasy studs.
Description: Washington defenseman Mike Green used the lockout to fully recover from a sports hernia surgery that cost him 50 games last season. SOURCE: CSNWashington.com
Insight: Green scored 70-plus points in back-to-back seasons but he's been injury plagued and ineffective the last two years. He said he finally felt 100 percent "about a month ago. That's when there was no more pain and my mobility was good again and I had that pop in my step I didn't have before." The Capitals re-signed the defenseman to a three-year contract over the summer so obviously they think he'll return to form.
Description: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom's status remains uncertain just days away from the start of training camp. SOURCE: Washington Post
Insight: Backstrom suffered a neck injury after falling into the boards during a game with Dynamo Moscow on Dec. 26. The center missed 40 games with a concussion last season so any injury from the neck up is a cause for concern. GM George McPhee said he wouldn't be able to offer an update on Backstrom before the new collective bargaining agreement was ratified.
Description: Washington winger Alex Ovechkin has agreed to a deal with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL, according to a report in the Washington Post.
Insight: Ovechkin, a first overall pick in many fantasy leagues, had an "off" year by his standards with 65 points (38G, 27A) in 78 games. He averaged 102 points per season from 2005-2010. He was non-commital when asked if he would return when a CBA has been signed, but fantasy owners in keeper leagues should not let him go.
