Caps-Canes Live

Welcome to the Caps' biggest game of the season here at Verizon Center. It's a loud, raucous, sell-out crowd that's only going to get more boisterous as the game progresses. And, oh yeah, it's a pretty huge game. I'll provide out-of-town scoreboard updates too (at least for the games that matter to the Caps).

First Period
The game started with tons of action but not too many notable chances. The Caps held an 8-4 lead in shots at the 9:29 mark but neither team could crack the scoreboard. The Caps did dictate play, though.

The Caps' persistence paid off at the 15:00 mark. Mike Green launched a shot from the point and Cam Ward gave up a juicy rebound. Matt Cooke gobbled up the puck and forcibly put the puck past Ward to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

After scoring, the Caps turned up the intensity and earned a power play at 17:03. It took the Caps a while to set up shop, but once they did, their persistence paid off.

Tomas Fleischmann gained control of the puck along the boards and passed it to a cutting Brooks Laich, who after some nifty stick work, put the puck past Ward to give the Caps a 2-0 lead. Laich's stickwork was unbelievable considering the tight space and speed of the maneuvering.

After one: Caps 2, Canes 0.

Scoreboard update: Leafs 1, Sabres 0 (first).

Second Period
The Canes came out with abandon and their efforts were rewarded. Bret Hedican shot the puck from the point and Scott Walker gathered the rebound right in front of the net and managed to slide the biscuit past Cristobal Huet before gliding into the net himself.

The Caps got a power play at 3:33 and managed two shots on goal but nothing memorable.

The press were alerted that Shaone Morrisonn is out with an upper body injury and will not return.

Some power play madness started at 9:15 with the Canes getting a one-man advantage, then a two-man edge, then getting up four-on-three. It was then even at four-.on-four, which was followed by a Caps' power play.

Throughout all of this, there were no goals but two memorable moments -- Alex Semin had a breakaway but missed the net high. Huet absolutely robbed Eric Stall at 13:03 with the Caps on the power play (for four minutes, in fact). A scrum ensued and Alex Ovechkin and Niclas Wallin went off with coincidental roughing minors.

The Caps seized the advantage about a minute later. After a power sustained attack on the power play, Alex Semin stickhandled beautifully and put the puck past Ward at 14:28 to restore the Caps' two-goal advantage.

After the goal, Canes coach Peter Laviolette was livid and delayed the ensuing face-off by a minute or so as he was yelling at the officials. In fact, if it not for Ward's heroics, the Caps should be winning by a much wider margin. The shots on goal stands 31-14 after the second stanza.

The Caps earned another power play at 19:25 and will begin the final period with 1:26 of power play time.

After two: Caps 3, Canes 1.

Scoreboard watch: Leafs 2, Sabres 1 (second); Habs 2, Sens 0 (second).

Third Period
The Hurricanes, sensing a division title slipping away, majorly turned up the pressure in the final stanza. They killed off the Caps' power play and then earned one of their own at 3:45. Fortunately for the home team, they were able to withstand the pressure despite not being as agressive.

The Caps turned up the pressure in a big way after the first TV timeout. They earned a power play at 12:26 but were unable to score. However, Sergei Federov made a sweet move with the puck before unleashing a shot. Ovie's shot was saved.

The Caps got another power play at 15:12 but it appeared they gave it back 17 seconds later. However, Laviolette started chirping at the refs again and got himself a bench minor for unsportmanlike conduct to keep the Caps' power play entact.

However, Kozlov was called for holding 19 seconds later making it four-on-four. But Ovie made sure there was one more celebration left. As the puck trickled his way, A.O. spun and unleashed a wicked slapper that's must be seen to be believed. It was his 63rd of the season, tying him for the most goals scored by a left wing in NHL history.

After Ovie's goal, loud chants of "M-V-P" reigned around Verizon Center, which got louder as the game progressed.

The Caps' theme song, "Don't Stop Believing" played with just about two minutes left. And with 60 minutes of sometimes spectacular hockey (including a 39-22 advantage in shots on goal), the Caps tied the Canes for the division lead.

Final: Caps 4, Canes 1.