I would really love to do anything but write a post like this. Unfortunately after last night, the old joke "Russian Machine Never Breaks" has been scrapped for "week-to-week with an upper body injury." That will teach me to complain about the small problems that have plagued the Caps over the last few weeks. Losing the best player in the league is a huge blow, and will have a major impact on the standings over the next few weeks. What we don't know is how this injury will affect Ovi's overall game when he returns. Ovechkin is one of the most physical forwards in the game, and it's hard to say if he'll have to change that style if he's nursing a shoulder injury (which it's rumored to be). The biggest concern here is whether Ovechkin can recover enough to be his effective, goal-per-game self that he was up until the injury in 2009. If he has to nurse a shoulder all season, we could be in for Mike Green-like disappointment, only bigger. Those questions will have to go unanswered for now. In the meantime the Caps have to figure out how to carry on without their most dangerous weapon.

There are several things that have to be considered when you lose a guy like Alex Ovechkin. He isn't a penalty killer, and he isn't a key defensive forward, so those aspects don't really change with no. 8 out of the lineup. However, Ovechkin was the team's second most consistent hitter, point man on the powerplay, and the type of guy that kept blueliners from pinching on offense because he's a constant threat. He opens up space for his teammates on the ice, and that's something that can't necessarily be quantified or duplicated. Since his impact cannot be replaced, you have to consider how his teammates react to his absence. Here are five guys that MUST step up with Ovi out of the lineup:

Alexander Semin

Semin is in a contract year, which makes this storyline all the more interesting. If Sasha wants a big bargaining chip when negotiating his new deal, he must step up while his off-the-ice buddy is on the shelf. Semin is third on the team in points (15) second in goals (7) and fourth in assists (8). Bruce Boudreau cannot afford to see the same Alex Semin that stepped down last night with Ovi out of the lineup. Semin must learn to be a little bit more physical (in charging the net and challenging defenders) as well as a little less flashy (some of the extra passes could drop out of his regular MO). We hear all the time that no. 28 has more skill and ability than his buddy with the same name, but if there's ever a time to prove that he can put it to good use, this is it.

Mike Knuble

As much as people claim that Ovechkin isn't a leader, his charisma and ability make him a natural presence that matters in the locker room. Knuble needs to pick up his goal scoring pace a bit (3 in 14 games). He could also stand to cut out the dumb penalties (16 PIMs, at least 4 of which have been late in the third period of games). Knuble was a proven leader in Philly, and did a good job of rallying the troops with his strong PK effort in the third period last night, but he must really show his stuff now. If the Caps need to establish a more workman-like attitude while Ovi's out, no. 22 has to lead the charge.

Tomas Fleischmann

Flash is only a couple of days removed from IR, but he's come back as a major force already. Apparently Fleischmann has packed on 10-15 pounds through his midsection in order to add some strength to his game, and he'll need that now. Boudreau might flip Semin over to left wing on the top line, or he might turn to the young Czech. If Fleischmann can maintain his level of competitiveness from his first three games this season, the Caps might be able to offset some of their lost scoring.

Tom Poti (and to a lesser extent Brian Pothier)

Poti's seen an increase in power play TOI so far this season, but that number will go up even more with the loss of Ovechkin. Poti (along with Pothier) must be able to step up on the point and help maintain a fearsome presence with the extra man. Poti's proven that he has the offensive ability before, but he has yet to break 30 points in a Capitals uniform. That will have to change if the Caps expect to be above 20% efficiency with the man advantage. Pothier hasn't notched a point since the Ranger game a few weeks ago, and has looked out of sorts since then (that has been his only assist on the season). If he can't steady his offensive game, he might lose his regular sweater to John Erskine (when he comes back from injury). The Caps would prefer Potsy to find his game with Ovechkin out of the lineup.

Brooks Laich

It's hard to say that Brooksie has to "step it up" considering the fact that he's been a point-per-game player so far this season. However, with the complete absence of Chris Clark ANYWHERE on the ice, Brooks must continue to be an offensive force. His willingness to go to the net must be emulated by his teammates, and this is a prime opportunity for him to prove that he deserves to wear the 'C' for the Capitals organization one day down the road. If he can show his heart night in and night out in a bigger role, he'll win over even more DC fans (if that's possible). Brooks has the can-do attitude and the ability to offset some of the intangibles that we'll all miss with the Great Eight out for a few weeks.

I understand that you can probably make a case for why every single guy on the roster must step up in Ovi's absence. But I think it's fair to say that these are the guys that are impacted the most by the loss of the Russian Machine. Who do you think needs to step up? Let me know in the comments!

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