'Angry' Ovechkin back as Caps invade Tampa

Debates raged around the NHL last week on whether Washington superstar and two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin plays dirty after a pair of game misconduct penalties - one for boarding and another for kneeing, the latter resulting in a two-game suspension that ends heading into tonight's game against Tampa Bay.

But one thing that can't be debated is Ovechkin's all-world talent. The top pick in the 2004 draft has two 50-goal seasons and one 60-goal campaign under his belt in four seasons, with 46 his low-water mark.

While his offensive prowess electrifies crowds, his physical style of play is as strong as any player in the league. When asked about the two-game suspension handed down by the league for his knee-on-knee hit to Carolina's Tim Gleason one week ago, Ovechkin was none too pleased and promised nothing about his game was going to be altered.

"I'm not going to change anything," he told Washington reporters. "Maybe it gets me more angry."

When Lightning coach Rick Tocchet was asked about Ovechkin possibly returning to the lineup tonight more aggravated, he quickly quipped, "Really, well I hope our players are aggravated."

Tampa Bay should be as the Capitals have owned the Lightning in the past two seasons under Coach Bruce Boudreau. Heading into tonight, Washington has won the past 11 meetings, including one in overtime, since Boudreau replaced Glenn Hanlon on Thanksgiving Day 2007. Last season Tampa Bay lost all six matchups by a combined 30-14 score.

"We've had some tough games against them but I feel that we are a better hockey team than we have been, especially last year," said goaltender Mike Smith, coming off a 30-save shutout Saturday. "So I don't see why we can't compete with some of the top teams in the league. We've done it already this year. And if we continue to build on what the coaches are preaching, the little things in games that mean so much, then I think we'll feel all right."

The Capitals are rolling. Washington is coming off an 8-2 beatdown in Philadelphia on Saturday in Peter Laviolette's debut behind the Flyers bench, and has won five games in a row. In the past two games the Caps have outscored their foes 14-4. An already-difficult challenge will only be made tougher with Ovechkin's expected return.

"We are going to have our work cut out for us and there shouldn't be a problem getting motivated for that one, obviously last year getting shellacked by them," Tocchet said. "They are the top of the heap and No. 1 in our division and it's going to be a big test for us. I think anytime a team plays Washington they try to measure themselves.

"But it's a situation where if you play the system and work hard, you always have a chance in the NHL."