Mark Giannotto's story for tomorrow's paper is about the Caps moving past yesterday's trade and looking ahead to the game at San Jose. Here's an excerpt:

He squirmed from side to side, puffed his cheeks out, and let go of a deep breath, preparing to give an appropriate response to the question of whether the trade that sent his former captain and next-door neighbor in the Verizon Center locker room, Chris Clark, and defenseman Milan Jurcina to Columbus for winger Jason Chimera just hours earlier had any effect on his team's performance in a 6-3 loss to Carolina.

"We're professionals; we understand it's a business," Laich said. "I don't think the trade had anything to do with the hockey game. Obviously they're very good friends and a huge part of our locker room . . . but as far as taking away or distracting us during the game, that's not an excuse at all."

But the disappointing loss to the NHL's worst team had all the telltale signs of a team preoccupied with something other than the game at hand. | Full story »

Tarik's finally in San Jose and working on a Jason Chimera story, which will be online later this evening. Also, a bit of news per the Caps, of interest to those who have been following Brooks Laich's goal-scoring troubles:

After video review and confirmation from the players involved, the Caps third goal last night has been changed. It should read:

Brooks Laich (11) from Ovechkin and Green

Therefore Ovechkin no longer has a share of the league lead in goals.

Sorry, Ovie.