Wednesday Roundup

Not much news following yesterday's day off (and demotion of Jeff "They told me to get a residence here, so I did that" Schultz), but that doesn't mean there isn't speculation. Tarik believes Schultz was sent down to make room for a forward in case Alex Semin isn't ready to go this weekend which means Alex Semin isn't ready to go this weekend, and perhaps neither is Brian Sutherby (though the team may be looking to bring up a scoring-line forward - Chris Bourque, perhaps? - rather than continuing to bump up Brooks Laich).

The team gets back on the ice today (and likely back to work on the power play), so there should be plenty of news - or at least more speculation - coming out of K-Plex. Stay tuned.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks

The AP not-so-gently reminds us that the season is 82 games long (to which I remind them that two points in October count the same as two points in April).... On this date in 1987, Mike Gartner had his 13th career hat trick for the Caps in a 6-4 win over Chicago.... Speaking of history, it was on this date in 1989 that, for the first time, two Russian players faced each other in an NHL game (the Flames' Sergei Makarov and Sergei Priakin matched up against the Devils' Slava Fetisov and Sergei Starikov).

Daily Awards

• Hart: Matt Cullen (G, 2A, +1, 4 SOG, 54% faceoffs won)
  
• Ross: Matt Cullen, Justin Williams, Cory Stillman (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Dennis Seidenberg (A, +2, 3 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Cam Ward (W, 27 saves on 28 shots against)
  
• Richard: 8 players tied with 1G each
  
• Calder: Kris Newbury (Played... the only rookie that did Tuesday night)
  
• Aiken I: Vesa Toskala (L, 7 goals allowed on 39 shots against)
  
• Aiken II: The rest of the Leafs
  

Tuesday Roundup/Gamenight: Washington vs. Toronto

[NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Pregame]

Washington is finally healthy heading into tonight's game with Toronto, and both teams are looking to improve their respective playoff positioning. Unfortunately, that's the preview for tonight's Wizards/Raptors game. Back to the world of hockey, we've got a March matchup of teams on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, with the Caps needing binoculars to see it.

Rather than pour my heart and soul into a preview, I'll just note that Mike Green has been recalled and predict that the Caps pull the upset at the ACC tonight (how's that for in-depth analysis?).

As for other Caps news, Ted Leonsis is sticking to the rebuilding plan, but acknowledges that now's the time to start filling in gaps with free agents:

"Payroll will be increased," Leonsis said, "as will financial losses. We will fill holes, and add depth and skill, some additional veteran leadership.

"We must keep improving without changing the culture and core of the team that is still young and developing. But it is time now for us to plug the holes in our lineup. We will use all means to improve. We have lots of assets to help us come trade time in offseason."

That's encouraging, no?

Finally, be sure to check out Vogs on the road working the ECHL circuit. It's a good read, and great to hear what seems to be positive news (at least off-ice) about Caps prospect Viktor Dovgan.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Matt Cullen (Game-winning shootout goal, assist, +1, 4 SOG in 2-1 win)
• Ross: Matt Cullen, Petr Prucha, Jed Ortmeyer, Tom Poti, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Jason Blake (1 point each)
• Norris: Marc-Andre Bergeron (A, 3 SOG, 3 blocked shots)
• Vezina: Rick DiPietro (56 saves on 57 shots against in 2-1 shootout loss)
• Richard: Jason Blake, Petr Prucha (1G each)
• Calder: Daniel Girardi (played in the game)
• Aiken: Frederick Meyer IV (-1, 0 points, 0 SOG, sissy name)