Caps report

Last night at Verizon Center

SEEN AND HEARD

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly met with the media before the game and discussed a variety of topics from the financial health of the Caps to possible rule and scoring changes to the league’s television contract with Versus. Daly said that provided the league does not take into account inflation factors, a Toronto Star report of a projected $48 million salary cap for the 2007-08 season is accurate. The salary floor for next season would then be projected at $32 million. Washington is the only franchise in the league projected to spend less than that this season.

OVECHKIN WATCH

Normally sporting shaggy and somewhat untamed hair, Ovechkin showed up at the arena with a neatly cropped look and hair that is significantly shorter than normal. Another prominent area sports personality who wore the same number, former Orioles great and new member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Cal Ripken, was in the building. Ripken’s children are fans of Ovechkin and the family met him after the game. There was a video tribute to Ripken on the scoreboard during a stoppage in the second period, and afterward he received a lengthy standing ovation from both Caps and Rangers fans.

PROSPECT UPDATE

Luke Lynes, a fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft by the Caps, matched a team record with four goals for the Brampton Battalion in an 8-6 loss to London on Friday night. Lynes, who lives in Ellicott City, Md., during the offseason, leads the Battalion with 28 goals and is second on the team with 54 points through 54 games in the Ontario Hockey League.

— Corey Masisak