Kolzig vs. Halak.

Higgins to the box. First PP for the Caps.

Another team fighting for a playoff spot.

I'm listening to the French feed. I like those guys.

Caps score! 1-0.

PPG by Semin, assisted by Pothier, near the end of the penalty. #38 for Semin (Thursday's goal is still attributed to Clark).

Kovalev sends one past Kolzig! 1-1.

Semin and Laich, 2-on-1, but Laich misses!

Earlier today: Crosby scoreless.

In progress: Carolina leads San Jose 2-0. Thornton scoreless, of course, but we're only 10 minutes into the game.

WASHINGTON Capitals

Ovechkin Novotny Clark
Semin Laich Fleischmann
Pettinger Gordon Giroux
Brashear Beech Bradley

Jurcina Morrisonn
Pothier Schultz
Muir Green

Kolzig
(Johnson)

[Pettinger back in the lineup, Clymer scratched; Clark back on the top line.]

Great save by Kolzig in front of Bouillon. Olie and Semin are having a great game, according to the French announcers.

Bouillon to the box for tripping Semin (the crowd and the radio announcers disagree).

MONTREAL Canadiens

Streit Koivu Ryder
Higgins Plekanec Kostitsyn
Begin Lapierre Kovalev
Latendresse Bonk Johnson

Bouillon Souray
Markov Komisarek
Gorges Dandenault

Halak
(Aebischer)

Interview: Cristobal Huet, who has resumed practice. First full practice today.

He's not 100% yet, but he feels well. He'd like to be back before the end of the regular season. The Canadiens played well in his absence, even in lost games, but they miss some grit.

LOL, he has a slight French Canadian accent, now!

Laich to the box for tripping Streit. First PP for the Canadiens.

Penalty killed.

Canadiens called for too many men on the ice.

Good save by Halak in front of Ovechkin.

Streit clears the puck. Back to even strength.

Montreal again on the PP, and great save by Kolzig only seconds into it.

A couple more saves by Kolzig, but Kovalev scores on the rebound! 2-1.

Before today's games:

7. NY Rangers, 83 points, 74 games, 37 wins
8. Carolina, 82 points, 74 games, 37 wins
9. Montreal, 82 points, 75 games, 38 wins
10. NY Islanders, 81 points, 73 games, 35 wins
11. Toronto, 80 points, 74 games, 35 wins

Rangers and Islanders won this afternoon. The 3 other teams are leading (Montreal 2-1, Carolina 3-1 and Toronto 3-1).

Good save by Kolzig, and Morrisonn almost scores against his own goalie.

Hurricanes lead Sharks 4-1, now. Thornton still scoreless. 23 minutes left.

Plekanec makes it 3-1 Canadiens! Great play by Kostitsyn.

Kolzig furious after a couple of saves. Sounds like he has very little support.

Another good save by Kolzig in front of Kovalev, looking for the hat trick.

End of second. The Caps have 1:22 left to a PP.

The second period was ALL Kolzig (despite giving up two goals).

Shots: 20-9 Montreal for the period.

Third on.

In Carolina, Cheechoo scores. Thornton gets a secondary assist (assist #83, point #103).

PP killed by the Caps. Back to even strength.

Analysis by the French Canadian color commentator: the Caps have hard working guys up front, but the defense is so vulnerable that the forwards have to go down too often, and it's hard to start things from there, not to mention the lack of confidence because of poor d.

Sens-Bolts: Heatley has scored goal #44, and has an assist (95 points). Lecavalier has 2 assists (100 points) and St. Louis 1 (97 points).

Sharks score again, but no point for Thornton. 4-3 'Canes with about 7 minutes left.

Leafs have added a goal, and now lead the Sabres 4-1.

The Canadiens must win and hope that the 'Canes lose.

Only 3 saves to make for Kolzig in the third after 11:26 of play, but the Caps still sound like they're dominated.

Ryder and Streit, 2-on-1... Ryder scores! 4-1.

Kolzig had anticipated the pass, and opened the net for Ryder's shot.

5-4 Carolina, now. Thornton has a goal (104th point). 1:53 left.

Empty-net goal in Carolina, they win 6-4.

Game over in Montreal.

The Caps' only goal is now attributed to Clark, assisted by Semin and Pothier. Looks like the NHL doesn't want Semin to score that 38th goal.

Clark had three 10-goal seasons with Calgary. He had 20 last season. He now has 29. That was a great trade by McPhee.

August 4, 2005 analysis:

The Washington Capitals acquired winger Chris Clark from the Calgary Flames for a conditional draft pick in 2006.

What does it give the Washington Capitals?
The Capitals' first move post-lockout is a minor one. Clark should play a regular role on the third line, kill penalties and provide both leadership and energy to the Washington lineup. However, he's far from a spectacular acquisition.

What does it give the Calgary Flames?
The Flames no longer had room for Clark at right wing, following the acquisition of Darren McCarty and Tony Amonte (who will probably be shifted to left wing). Therefore, the Flames did well to secure a future draft pick--no matter the round.

LOL!