Mike Green returns, but Nicklas Backstrom hurt in Caps’ victory

The Washington Capitals defeat the Calgary Flames, 3-1.

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Jan. 3, 2012

Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green warms up before the game at the Verizon Center. Green had missed all but eight games this season and hadn't played since Nov. 11.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff stops the puck as Flames defenseman Cory Sarich blocks out Capitals center Brooks Laich during the first period of the game.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin stands in front of Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and deflects the shot during the second period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Calgary center Olli Jokinen knocks Jay Beagle off of the puck during the second period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals defenseman Mike Green watches from the bench during the second period .

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman and center Nicklas Backstrom celebrate after Wideman's goal during the second period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Defenseman Dennis Wideman high fives his teamamtes after scoring the Capitals' third goal of the game.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals left wing Troy Brouwer is shown during the second period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie checks Capitals defenseman Mike Green into the boards during the third period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals defenseman Mike Green pressures Flames left wing Rene Bourque as Washington goalie Tomas Vokoun makes the save during the third period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Flames right wing Jarome Iginla has his shot kicked away by Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun during the third period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom reaches from behind to get the puck away from Flames center Olli Jokinen during the third period. Backstrom, who was elbowed in the head during the third period, was removed from the game for evaluation by team doctors.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Washington defenseman Dennis Wideman stops the puck in front of Calgary left wing Curtis Glencross and Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun during the third period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals center Marcus Johansson skates with the puck as Flames center Mikael Backlund comes from behind during the third period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Jan. 3, 2012

Capitals Coach Dale Hunter talks to his players during a timeout during the third period.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

Novelist Toni Morrison laughs with U.S. President Barack Obama before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Toni Morrison; Barack Obama

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President Obama honored a diverse group of political and cultural icons.

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

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Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

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