Power play scores in consecutive games

--With power-play goals from Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin, the Capitals have netted power-play goals in back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 3 and 7. The last time the Caps scored two power-play goals in the same game was Jan. 13 in a 4-3 win against Tampa.

--Coupled with the Florida Panthers' win over the Kings, the Capitals' shootout loss to Winnipeg dropped them into a virtual tie with the Panthers. Both teams have 61 points, but because the Panthers have a game in hand, they're awarded the division lead and the third seed in the conference, while the Caps fall to ninth. The Caps could be two points behind the Panthers by the time they play again in New York on Sunday. Florida plays its game in hand Saturday, when it faces the Devils.

--The Capitals blew a two-goal lead with 2:15 remaining in regulation in Thursday night's 3-2 shootout loss, mostly because of untimely penalties. A slashing penalty to Roman Hamrlik and a playing-with-a-broken-stick penalty to Brooks Laich led to power-play goals by Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien just 12 seconds apart to send the game into overtime and an eventual shootout loss.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"They have to protect their assets. His safety and his longevity are the biggest things. I think the (Sidney) Crosby thing scared a lot of franchises into protecting their assets and not rushing their players back too soon." -- Mike Knuble, on the Capitals' cautious approach to Nicklas Backstrom's concussion.

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