Peter Laviolette
FILE -Russia forward Yevgeni Malkin seals off the puck from USA defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the first period of a men's ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. NHL players will not take part in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing after all. A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press the league is going to withdraw from the Olympics after the regular-season schedule was disrupted by coronavirus outbreaks, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
AP sources: NHL to withdraw from Olympics after COVID surge

By John Wawrow And Stephen Whyno Dec. 21, 2021 05:34 PM 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

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)
Alex Ovechkin confident he will sign extension with Capitals

By Stephen Whyno May. 25, 2021 02:47 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, checks St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz in the corner in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
NHL clears Blues, Golden Knights after virus testing errors

By Stephen Whyno And Pat Graham May. 19, 2021 03:01 PM EDT

Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek prepares to catch the puck during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Ovechkin, Kuznetsov lead the way as Capitals beat Devils 4-3

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 25, 2021 09:52 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

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

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (20) square up for a fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Tensions rising: NHL multigame series ratchet up animosity

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 11, 2021 06:03 PM EST

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) and Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) fight during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bruins erase 3-goal deficit against Capitals, win 5-3

Feb. 01, 2021 09:45 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

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender James Reimer (47) celebrates defeating the Nashville Predators 4-2 with defenseman Haydn Fleury (4) after an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)
The Latest: Northern Colorado not playing Big Sky football

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2021 12:24 PM EST

The Chicago Blackhawks begin their 2021 training camp during an NHL hockey practice Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
NHL training camps open with sense of urgency

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2021 05:47 PM EST

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates with teammates after against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
New coach using NHL stoppage to study up on his Predators

By Teresa M. Walker Apr. 06, 2020 05:19 PM EDT