Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates (center) talks to captain Alex Ovechkin (left) as right wing Joel Ward (right) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) yells referee Brad Watson (23) after he received a cross-checking penalty in the third period of Game 6 of the Capitals 1-0 loss to the New York Rangers in their NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in New York, Sunday, May 12, 2013. The Rangers evened the series at 3-3 with a 1-0 shutout, forcing a Game 7 in Washington Monday. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) guards New York Rangers right wing Arron Asham (45) as he works in front of goalie Braden Holtby (70) in the third period of Game 5 first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey series, Friday, May 10, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Joel Ward (center) scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of last year's playoff matchup against Boston. (Associated Press)
Joel Ward (center) scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of last year's playoff matchup against Boston. (Associated Press)
Joel Ward (Stephen Whyno / The Washington Times)
Washington Capitals' Joel Ward (42) plays in the NHL hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Washington Capitals' Joel Ward (42) plays in the NHL hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Joel Ward at a screening of '42' on Wednesday night. (Photo by Steven Oleksy)
