Tuesday Roundup/Bruins 3, Caps 2

[Boxscore - Recap - Postgame Coverage]

The Caps were outplayed for the first two periods, failed to win key faceoffs and didn't capitalize on their powerplay opportunities. Against just about any team, that will add up to a loss, and that was exactly the result Monday night at the MCI. Give the Bruins - and specifically P.J. Axelsson - credit, though, for shutting down Alexander Ovechkin as few teams have been able to do. On the other hand, I think bought into the "shadowing" of Ovechkin a bit too much, and was overly concerned with trying to get Alex off when PJax was on and vice versa. Play your game, coach - it's been working. Still, Alex got more than 25 minutes of ice time and created a few good chances, but was kept off the scoresheet for the first time in nearly three weeks. The Glen HanlonWaPo and WTimes will catch you up in more depth and if you're still looking for more, there's always the BGlobe and a couple of articles at the BHerald.

In other NHL news:

• They're dropping like flies in Pittsburgh, as Mario Lemiuex is set to announce his retirement. Again. Will the announcement turn the "A" on Sid's sweater to a "C"? If the Pens were smart (and there's no reason to think they are), they wouldn't name a captain for the rest of this season and then give it to the kid in the offseason. But if they want to fire up the latent hype machine, what better way than naming an 18-year-old your team captain as the mantle is officially passed with Le Magnifique's retirement?
  
• Haymaker Domi had a Gordie Howe hat trick (which is always noteworthy at The Rink) last night in the Leafs' loss to provincial rival Ottawa.
• Also turning the trick was Foil Morrow in Dallas's win over Phoenix.
  

Daily Awards

• Hart: Jarome Iginla (2G, +1 in 3-1 win over Edmonton)
  
• Ross: Eric Staal, Justin Williams (G, 2A)
  
• Norris: Francois Beauchemin (2 goals, +1 in 3-2 SO loss)
  
• Vezina: Curtis Sanford (34 save shutout win vs. VAN)
  
• Richard: Wayne Primeau, Tomas Plekanec, Francois Beauchemin, Jarome Iginla (2 goals each)
  
• Calder: Curtis Sanford (34 save shutout win vs. VAN)
• Aiken, Pt. I: Jose Theodore (L, 5 goals against on 18 shots in 28:45)
• Aiken, Pt. II: Zbynek Michalek (-4 in 4-1 loss)