Nicklas Backstrom
FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 file photo, Andreea Raducan of Romania, receives her gold medal in the women's all-around gymnastics competition at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Raducan was the women's all-around gymnastics champ when the Romanian star tested positive for pseudoephedrine, which was contained in a cold remedy she got from the team doctor. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Johnson, Jones highlight most infamous Olympic doping cases

By Noah Trister Feb. 10, 2022 06:28 AM EST

Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) meet in the handshake line after Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Washington. The Bruins won 3-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals 5/23/2021

May. 25, 2021 02:48 PM EDT

Washington Capitals' Conor Sheary, right, scores on Boston Bruins' Dan Vladar, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 11, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Caps roll 8-1 in Chara's 1st game in front of Bruins fans

By Ken Powtak Apr. 11, 2021 09:58 PM EDT

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20) is congratulated by teammates after his goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, rear right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Boston. From left are Capitals Washington Capitals T.J. Oshie (77), Ellers, Richard Panik (14) and Zdeno Chara (33). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Caps edge Bruins 2-1 in SO in Chara's return to Boston

By Ken Powtak Mar. 03, 2021 10:31 PM EST

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, celebrates after left wing Max Pacioretty, left, scored against the Minnesota Wild during overtime of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
No Fun NHL? Restrictions help players appreciate hockey more

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 10:52 AM EST

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates his goal with center Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Capitals get goals 3 ways, beat Sabres for 2nd straight win

Feb. 18, 2021 09:24 PM EST

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Ovechkin returns, scores in OT as Capitals beat Bruins

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 30, 2021 10:44 PM EST

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) battles for the puck with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Linus Ullmark perfect in shootout, Sabres beat Capitals

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 24, 2021 06:05 PM EST

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Short-handed Capitals beat Sabres 4-3 in SO in home opener

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 22, 2021 09:58 PM EST

Pittsburgh Penguins' Jake Guentzel, left, puts a shot under the glove hand of Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) for a goal during a shootout in an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Canes' season paused, while Caps play on without 4 regulars

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 21, 2021 04:24 PM EST

Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Oshie has 3 points, Capitals open with 6-4 win at Buffalo

By John Wawrow Jan. 14, 2021 09:54 PM EST

St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) and center Brayden Schenn (10) battle for the puck during the first period of an intraquad NHL hockey scrimmage at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo., Saturday, July. 18, 2020. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Pending free agents confront injury risk in NHL playoffs

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 23, 2020 04:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 16, 2019, file photo, Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, center, sits on the field with his daughters Mackenzie, left, and Hayden, right, before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Washington. With baseball on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, Zimmerman occasionally will offer his thoughts via diary entries published by the AP, while waiting for the 2020 season to begin. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Nats' Ryan Zimmerman's AP diary: Fundraising for virus help

By Ryan Zimmerman Apr. 17, 2020 02:06 AM EDT