Over the course of the past two and a half games, it was easy for everyone to say that the Capitals didn't need their Russian superstar, and maybe they didn't for those games, but it sure was great to have him back tonight. Ovechkin came back and showed his anger on the score sheet with two second period tallies to put his team on top.

I guess I'll start this recap off with saying a 'Happy Birthday to me" considering that the Caps gave me a fun answer to my 24th birthday wish of a Flyers beatdown in Philly. They dominated from start to finish, with a little help from the oft-penalized Dan Carcillo, and ran away from the reeling Flyers and their new coach.

Today we're going to try something a little different. Our fellow blogunites Fran and Ryan from Flyers Goal Scored By were gracious enough to answer a few questions for me about one of our most bitter rivals before tonight's game. Please check out my answers to their questions on their site, and stick around...it's a good read.

Free which Alex, eh Caps fans? Tonight is one of those nights that makes life easier for bloggers. The Caps stepped out on the ice without the world's greatest goal scorer and managed to find their way with another world-class talent and world-class effort--for about 57 minutes. Alex Semin was the catalyst for the Capitals energy and they improved to a league-best 6-0 record against their own division.

Well Colin Campbell's hammer of justice has fallen on Alex Ovechkin. He has been issued a two-game suspension by the NHL's disciplinary czar, and will not be available to play until Monday's game against the Lightning. As we've covered in the last two Caps posts, Ovechkin was given a five-minute major and game misconduct in the first period of last night's 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Alex's knee slammed into Tim Gleason's as Gleason pulled away from a big hit. Most people have argued that Ovi's hit was not intentionally dirty, but his recklessness is a big cause for concern for his health, as well as his effect on other players and the game as a whole.

The Caps managed to pull out a 3-2 win down in Raleigh, but they might have lost the war in this contest. They were able to hang on without their leader and best player, but no one knows if they'll have to finish the season without the Great Eight.

Well Alex Ovechkin had another nasty hit tonight, but this one (a knee-on-knee) will draw at least a one-game suspension if not more. Ovechkin received the worst of the hit and was unable to put any pressure on his right leg as he left the ice. I'm sure you'll see plenty of Ovi-haters jump up and cry about what a terrible human being he is, but keep in mind that nasty hits happen, and they happen more with overly agressive players. Speaking of some fun enemy hits, watch these two before you feel too terrible about Ovechkin's latest exploits. While you're at it, keep your fingers crossed that Ovi's injured too badly.

The Caps again struggled to get shots through and spend time in the offensive zone against a trapping team, but they were able to pull together and sneak out of Montreal with two points on Saturday night. It can be argued that they let their proverbial foot off the gas after an early two-goal lead, which is a concern, but a road win is a road win, and I'm sure Bruce Boudreau will take it. Some points on the game:

You have to go back to last season to find a Caps shutout, and that one came at the expense of the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. That night, Semyon Varlamov really showed the Red Army what he was capable of, and how much of an impact he could have on an organization that was looking for a goaltending identity in the post-Olie Kolzig era.

The Caps could not keep it simple this evening, and they weren't able to hold onto a two-goal lead. These are things that no one is surprised about these days. Third period penalties and a lack of a true lock-down defender really hurt them against the Senators, and they walked away with a third consecutive loss against a team they should have soundly beaten. Considering the injuries, I'm not hitting the panic button, but the undisciplined play is carrying my finger in that direction.