Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (8) looks to the scoreboard after scoring against the Boston Bruins in the third period during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Sunday, April 22, 2012. The Bruins defeated the Capitals 4-3 in overtime. (Rod Lamkey Jr/The Washington Times)
Washington goalie Braden Holtby (70) leaves the ice Tuesday after falling behind 3-0 in a game Buffalo went on to win 5-1. The Sabres overtook the Capitals in the race for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. (Associted Press)
ASSOCIATED PRESS Braden Holtby turned aside 28 shots in Washington's 3-0 win over Minnesota that lifted the Capitals into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Romank Hamrlik (44) helped by keeping Darroll Powe from the puck.
Braden Holtby turned aside 28 shots in Washington's 3-0 win over Minnesota that lifted the Capitals into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Romank Hamrlik (44) helped by keeping Darroll Powe from the puck. (Associated Press)
Western Conference's Kevin Durant (35), of the Oklahoma City Thunder, dunks over Eastern Conference's Dwight Howard (12), of the Orlando Magic, during the first half of the NBA All-Star Game, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin says it's "not about jokes" anymore for Washington, which is on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff field. The Capitals begin a four-game road trip Friday at the Florida Panthers. (Associated Press)
Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich is confident that the team will make the playoffs. The Capitals have two games remaining in their season and are currently tied with the Buffalo Sabres for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Trevor Hagan)
NBA Playoffs: Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) drives against Chicago Bulls guard Ronnie Brewer (11) during the third quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals Thursday, May 26, 2011, in Chicago. With an 83-80 win over the Bulls, the Heat have advanced to the NBA finals and will now play the Dallas Mavericks. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
NHL Playoffs: Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien speaks to reporters upon the team's arrival at Hansom Field in Bedford, Mass., Thursday, May 26, 2011. The Bruins host Game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference final against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
