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ARLINGTON, Va. Nolan Ryan Authentic Jersey . -- Even if Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have earned a reputation for quick exits, at least theyve been making the playoffs year after year. Thats not a given this time. And the team is well aware of it: Every time players set foot in the practice facility, they come face to face with a display showing where Washington stands. On Thursday, the Capitals had 70 points, good enough only for 11th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference. The top eight teams qualify for the post-season. "Weve got a board in our dressing room here that says the standings. You walk by it six, seven times a day," right wing Troy Brouwer said. "So theres no way to be immune to whats going on." Washington hasnt missed the playoffs since the 2006-07 season, although its never been past the second round in that span. At the moment, the fading Capitals have won only one of their last six games heading into Friday night against the visiting Vancouver Canucks, who are 10th in the West. "The desperate level," Brouwer said, "is getting up there." Washington has 15 games left in the regular season. Its not a particularly easy schedule, either, with 10 games against teams currently in playoff position, including a daunting March 18-22 road trip to Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. "Obviously, were very concerned," coach Adam Oates said. "But the one good thing about hockey is tomorrows another game and you cant get too far ahead or dwell too much on it, because youve got to play tomorrow. Its a must win tomorrow." There have been various problems lately, including poor passing and puck possession, leading to turnovers and a lack of shots on goal. Also glaring: Ovechkins sudden lack of scoring. The three-time NHL MVP and team captain leads the league with 44 goals, but he has been held without a point in each of the last four games, matching his worst drought this season. So whats it going to take to get things turned in the right direction before its too late? "It can be one big hit," said Ovechkin, whos been known to dole those out. "Or it can be one good play and everybody (wakes) up and everybody (plays) much better." In a bid to help the playoff push, general manager George McPhee added goalie Jaroslav Halak and left wing Dustin Penner in separate deals at the trade deadline this month, then finally signed 2010 first-round draft pick Evgeny Kuznetsov. But there hasnt been a payoff yet. Penner was thought to be destined for the top forward line, alongside Ovechkin and centre Nicklas Backstrom. But Oates said Thursday, "I dont think he matches well with them." Asked to elaborate, Oates replied: "Hes not the fastest guy in the world. Hes a puck-possession, battle-along-the-wall guy, and I think (Ovechkin and Backstrom) need a quicker guy." Halak, meanwhile, has made three consecutive starts over Braden Holtby. Oates wouldnt say who would be in net Friday. Holtby said all the right things Thursday, though -- about Halak "giving us a chance to win, whenever he plays"; about how "I want to learn from" Halak; about how theres no rivalry between the pair. Holtby also gave a frank assessment about what Washington needs to do now. "Everyone knows," Holtby said, "that we have to have at least 10 wins, probably, in these last 15 -- or more -- to have a chance." Notes: D Dmitry Orlov signed a $4 million, two-year contract extension. "Good for him," Ovechkin said, "and good for us." Orlov was suspended by the NHL for two games this month after launching into an opponent and drawing a major penalty that helped the Flyers rally for a 5-4 overtime victory. ... C Brooks Laich, who missed two of the last four games with a groin injury, saw a doctor and will be monitored day by day, according to Oates. Its possible Laich will play Friday. ... C Mikhail Grabovski skated before Thursdays practice as he deals with a left ankle injury. "Until he can practice with us, I think hes a ways away," Oates said. Albert Pujols Angels Jersey . -- Tyreke Evans is still making the adjustment from point guard to small forward for the Sacramento Kings. David Freese Authentic Jersey . Wright sat out games on Tuesday and Wednesday after learning he broke his finger diving back to a base Monday night. He was examined by a hand specialist for the second straight day Thursday. WASHINGTON -- Clayton Kershaw admitted he was nervous about making his first start in six weeks. Apparently its nothing new. He just hides it well. Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings in his first outing since opening day, and Hanley Ramirez and Drew Butera homered to help the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Washington Nationals 8-3 Tuesday night. "Im always nervous, every time I start," Kershaw said. "You want to do well. Same type of nerves tonight, but after the first inning I was able to settle in OK." Kershaw (2-0) was stubborn in his return after missing 32 games, allowing nine hits, but striking out nine without a walk, and pitching out of several jams while the game was still close. The two-time NL Cy Young winner had been on the disabled list for the first time in his career, sidelined by a strained back muscle after winning March 22 in the major league opener in Australia. "He shows you right away what youve been missing," said manager Don Mattingly, whose Dodgers began the day third place in the N.L. West. "Just a guy that brings that to the table every five days. Its a little reminder of who he is and what he means to you." The Dodgers collected 14 hits despite keeping outfielder Yasiel Puig out for the second straight game since he crashed into an outfield wall in the ninth inning Sunday at Miami. Coming off a pair of minor league rehabilitation starts, Kershaw threw 89 pitches. "I missed pitching in the big leagues," he said. "Its a special thing we get to do and I try not to take it for granted, so six weeks felt like a long time." Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth singled to start the fourth against Kershaw, but Adam LaRoche popped out and Kershaw struck out Scott Hairston and Ian Desmond. In the sixth, Rendon led off with a single, but Kershaw picked him off. Werth and LaRoche followed with singles before Kershaw again fanned Hairston and Desmond. "He was nasty," Washingtons Jose Lobaton said. "He was right in the zone. He was throwing strikes, aggressive, big curveball." Werth had four hits and Blake Treinen (0-1), making his first major league start, allowed three unearned runs in five-pplus innings. Custom Angels Jersey. The 25-year-old Treinen was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make the start and matched Kershaw for five innings. He allowed seven hits and no walks, while striking out two. He was part of his own undoing, however, when the Dodgers loaded the bases in the sixth inning on three balls that didnt leave the infield. Kershaws hustle started the rally. Treinen misplayed his leadoff grounder and Kershaw hustled down the line and just beat the throw. "With Kersh you get a guy thats going to just be kind of all in every day, in every aspect, from running to hitting to fielding, the whole package," Mattingly said Dee Gordons grounder to first base was bobbled by LaRoche, though the play was ruled a hit. Carl Crawford followed with a dribbler up the first base line for a single and, with the bases loaded, Ramirez singled to right, scoring Kershaw and ending Treinens night. After reliever Craig Stammen fanned Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier grounded into a fielders choice that scored Gordon, then Juan Uribes broken-bat single made it 3-0. The Dodgers added a run in the seventh, and four in the eighth when Ramirez homered leading off and Butera capped the inning with a three-run shot for an 8-0 lead. Chris Perez relieved for the Dodgers to begin the eighth and gave up three runs. NOTES: Puig said before the game he was ready to return. Mattingly said Puig might be used as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement. ... Los Angeles 1B Adrian Gonzalez (0 for his last 15) was given the night off. ... Nationals OF Nate McLouth had a bandaged right hand following his diving catch in foul territory during Monday nights game. The cut didnt require stitches and McLouth said he was available to play. ... Washington C Wilson Ramos (hand) took regular batting practice Tuesday and pronounced himself "ready to go." He could rejoin the team as early as Wednesday. ... Nationals manager Matt Williams said the latest X-rays on 3B Ryan Zimmerman (right thumb) "were great, and hes on path to begin his rehab as soon as possible." ... Former Nationals pitcher Dan Haren (4-0, 2.39) opposes Stephen Strasburg (2-2, 3.60) in Wednesdays series finale. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
