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Articles by Brian McNally

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson speaks during a news conference Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

2014 Super Bowl: Despite an odd path, Russell Wilson is where he expected to be

Russell Wilson was thankful to be a part of a day many players regard as a nuisance. The former baseball player knows his career path could have landed him elsewhere, not playing for a championship in just his second NFL season when the Seahawks face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.

January 28, 2014
Ottawa Senators center Zack Smith (15) checks Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Without injured Alex Ovechkin, Caps lose sixth in a row

Alex Ovechkin could only watch the game in street clothes. For once, the NHL's leading scorer was helpless to stop the Capitals' growing losing skid. Injured during last week's road trip to Pittsburgh, Columbus and New York, Ovechkin sat out Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators at Verizon Center.

January 21, 2014
Washington Capitals Philipp Grubauer, from Germany, sits on the ice as the puck bounces nearby in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in Washington. The Hurricanes won 4-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Capitals clear their crowded crease by sending Philipp Grubauer to Hershey

After a pair of ugly losses over the weekend, Washington finally rectified the goalie situation by sending rookie Philipp Grubauer back to AHL Hershey. That leaves the crease once more to Braden Holtby, who entered the season as the team's No. 1, and Michal Neuvirth, who has also won a Stanley Cup playoff series.

January 20, 2014
Pittsburgh Penguins' Olli Maatta (3) celebrates his goal with teammate Jussi Jokinen (36) in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. The Penguins won 4-3. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Getting a lead late isn’t the problem for the Capitals

Wednesday's setback in Pittsburgh was a crushing loss for the Caps and continued a trend that began in the opening game of the season against Chicago on Oct. 1. Washington can now point to five games where it led in the third period only to see its opponent storm back for the victory.

January 16, 2014
San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12) scores past Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31), from Germany, in the shootout of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, in Washington. The Sharks won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Caps fall to San Jose in a shootout

Their shootout luck has finally disappeared and with it the Capitals’ ability to sneak two standings standings points out of most games. They were generally happy with the overall effort on Tuesday night at Verizon Center against the formidable San Jose Sharks. But the end result was no different than a setback two days prior: A 2-1 shootout loss and just one point.

January 15, 2014
Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) stops a shot by Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, in the shootout portion of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, in Washington. The Sabres won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

USA! US - oh wait - Sabres’ Ryan Miller stymies Capitals again

The expected starter for Team USA at next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia sent Capitals fans home unhappy after handing Washington a 2-1 shootout loss Sunday. It was the second time in two weeks that Ryan Miller helped the NHL's worst team beat the Caps.

January 12, 2014
Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates, top, watches his team from the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Caps in precarious position as Olympic break nears

A loss on Thursday night in Tampa Bay, and Washington could be out of playoff position entirely. There is work to be done. But can the Caps take anything positive from a recent 0-2-2 stretch, which included Saturday's frustrating 5-3 loss at Minnesota?

January 8, 2014
Toronto Maple Leafs' Phil Kessel, right, celebrates his goal with James van Riemsdyk during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, in Toronto. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Mark Blinch)

A United States hockey gold wouldn’t qualify as a miracle in Sochi

It has been 34 years since the United States men's hockey team captivated the country with its Miracle on Ice. But with the 2014 Winter Olympics just weeks away now in the Russian resort town of Sochi, it is clear there wouldn't be anything miraculous about a gold medal this time around.

January 2, 2014
Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson takes the ice with young hockey players during the 2013 U.S. Men's National Team Camp at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Arlington, Va., Monday, August 26, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

John Carlson, others hope for call to Team USA

Carlson will learn his fate by watching on television following Wednesday's Winter Classic in Ann Arbor between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the game, USA Hockey will announce its final roster at the venue, University of Michigan Stadium, and live on NBC television.

December 31, 2013