Debates over NHL's best line, the Hall and R.E.M.

Which team has the best line in the NHL? Which is the best R.E.M. song? The Mother of All Mailbags returns to tell all.

Front Line: Has Gaborik reached peak?

Marian Gaborik has risen up to No. 5 in the forwards rankings after a great start, but Sean Allen thinks he can't get much higher.

Ovechkin scores 2 in return as Caps top Lightning for 12th straight time

Alex Ovechkin scored two goals in his return from a two-game suspension and the Capitals beat the Lightning for the 12th consecutive time.

Capitals-Lightning Preview

Capitals-Lightning Preview

FA talks, Vinny's future and those 'cheat' deals

The NHL's list of contract investigations has apparently grown to four. You may remember I reported a couple of times this season on the league's inv...

Capitals-Flyers Preview

Capitals-Flyers Preview

NHL Forecaster: Big 'D' in desert

Sean Allen previews Week 10 of the fantasy hockey season, and breaks down the recent success of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Minus Ovechkin, Capitals stomp Panthers as Semin nets four points in return

Alexander Semin had two goals and two assists in his return from a wrist injury and the Washington Capitals hardly missed the suspended Alex Ovechkin, beating the Florida Panthers 6-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Front Line: Hossa back, rising

Marian Hossa defied even the most optimistic of prognoses by returning to the Blackhawks before the calendar turned to December. With his injury behind him, Sean Allen is ready to consider him elite again.

Backstrom has two goals, assist as Capitals win without Ovechkin

Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and an assist while Eric Fehr added a goal and an assist Monday night, leading Washington to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Open Ice: The Phil Factor

Sean Allen looks at the difference a single player can make on an team, using Phil Kessel and Ryan Smyth as the positive and negative examples of the rule.

Backstrom, Varlamov star in SO to help Caps thwart Habs after last-minute tie

Nicklas Backstrom scored the only shootout goal on Washington's third attempt to give the Capitals a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin (28), of Russia, battles for the puck with Philadelphia Flyers' Braydon Coburn (5) in the first...

Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin, from right, of Russia, and Nicklas Backstrom, of Sweden, celebrate after Backstrom's goal in the...

Washington Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom, from left, of Sweden, Dave Steckel, Mike Green and Alexander Semin, of Russia, celebrate after Steckel's goal against Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Boucher in the third...