Varlamov, Caps snap losing streak

Sorry if this is a bit brief, but I've got a five-hour drive forthcoming (already regretting the whole "good son on Thanksgiving" routine). The Caps snapped a three-game losing streak thanks to great goaltending by Semyon Varlamov and great defensive work in the third period. They also did it without Alex Ovechkin, who was ejected early in the third period for boarding Patrick Kaleta. Ovechkin was hit with a five-minute major and a game misconduct, but both Bruce Boudreau and Ovechkin thought it was only deserving of a two-minute minor. "We just watched it a half dozen times and he hits him in the shoulder, not the side," Boudreau said. "It might have warranted a two-minute penalty, but I don’t think it warranted anything more than that.” Obviously, neither of them think he will be suspended for this, either. To recap some of Ovechkin's questionable transgressions: * He was fined Oct. 22, 2009 for slew-footing Atlanta's Rich Peerley. Some people were upset that he was only fined when Anaheim's Evgeni Artyukin was hit with a three-game suspension for a slew foot just days before. The "repeat offender" excuse was used on Artyukin's play. * He was ejected from a qualifying round game against Switzerland in the 2007 world championships and suspended from the next game in the tournament for a checking-from-behind major penalty. It was orginally called a two-minute penalty but the officials deliberated and changed it to a major. * He was ejected Dec. 2, 2006 for boarding Daniel Briere, which earned him villian No. 1 status in Buffalo (a title he's not likely to relinquish). “I think it was just a moment in the game,” Ovechkin said. “Sometimes you have a bad hit and nothing happens. Sometimes you have a good hit but the guy just falls into the boards and have blood. … I can do nothing about it. I’m just going to play my game. I’m not going to change. It is me.” As for the non-Ovechkin stuff: * Varlamov was spectacular. He's rolling along right now, and has to be among the top contenders for the Calder trophy (along with say, Buffalo's Tyler Myers, the Islanders' John Tavares and the Rangers' Michael Del Zotto). * Boudreau said Karl Alzner was "fabulous" in his season debut. He played his first game on the day before Thanksgiving last year, as well. "It is one of my favorite days of the year, not only because you get to eat great food but also because I'm fortunate to get a chance to play in the NHL," Alzner said. "Hopefully next year I won't have to worry about getting called up for Thanksgiving -- I'll already be up." * Boudreau also said Nicklas Backstrom was better than he's been in six or seven games. * Brian Pothier was the No. 3 star, and it was well-deserved. He's probably been the team's best all-around defenseman in November. * The Caps didn't have a power play in this game. It is the first time since April, 13 2002 that has happened. * The Caps have had four games this season where they didn't take a penalty in the first two periods. And, technically, for the fourth straight time the Caps took three penalties in the third period of those games. Ovechkin was assessed a major and game misconduct (worth 15 minutes of PIMs for fantasy hockey players -- or poolies for our neighbors to the north) -- and Green had a delay of game minor.