Nhl

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Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, right, celebrates a goal by teammate Troy Brouwer, center, as Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason skates off during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, April 11, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Carolina Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner (53) chases after Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, April 11, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Carolina Hurricanes goalie Justin Peters, right, is beaten for a goal by Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, April 11, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Washington Capitals' Joel Ward (42) plays in the NHL hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) waits for the action during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Sunday, March 17, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin is the center of attention during the pre-game warm-up as they get ready to face the Montreal Canadiens in NHL hockey action Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

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Washington Capitals' center Brooks Laich (21) carries the puck up ice against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Saturday, March 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

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Washington Capitals' Brooks Laich (21) and Carolina Hurricanes' Jay Harrison (44) chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin is congratulated by teammates following a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during second period NHL hockey action Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

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Washington Capitals defenseman Jack Hillen (38) battles for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning center Tom Pyatt (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) and Florida Panthers' Erik Gudbranson (44) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., Saturday, April 6, 2013. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

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Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward, right, celebrates his goal with teammate Mike Green (52) and others during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Matt Carle (25) battles for the puck against Washington Capitals center Mathieu Perreault (85) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)