Eminger Sees Change For Better
Defensive Switch May Lead to More Scoring

By Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 6, 2006

Steve Eminger is starting to see subtle signs of snapping out of the slump that's dogged him for nearly a month. But the 22-year-old offensive defenseman won't be able to relax until he sees his name in the scoring summary, somewhere it appeared often in October and November.

Tonight, Eminger can get his first point in 10 games -- and first goal since Dec. 3 -- against the Philadelphia Flyers, who will be visiting MCI Center for the second time in a week.

"I've been happy with the way I've played the past two games," Eminger said after yesterday's practice at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. "I've felt like I'm back in the groove. I've been getting more chances.

"Before, I would think after every game, what am I not doing that I was doing before? I wasn't skating, and I wasn't making things happen offensively. But I'm back to skating more, so hopefully the scoring chances will come."

Eminger began feeling better about the offensive side of his game after Coach Glen Hanlon shook up the defensive pairings last week. Hanlon put Eminger with another swift-skating defenseman, Bryan Muir, instead of stay-at-home type Brendan Witt, his partner for most of the season.

The Eminger-Witt tandem was often counted upon to stop the opponents' top offensive line, a big responsibility that sometimes constrained Eminger's instinct to join the rush. But with Muir, Eminger's defensive burden has been lightened.

"Over an 82-game schedule, you are going to have some ups and downs," veteran defenseman Jamie Heward said. "Steve got off to a hot start. Then he got the assignment of playing against [the opposing team's] top [offensive] line. That's a tough enough job in itself, without also worrying about trying to be offensive."

Since the switch, Eminger and Muir have been matched against the opposing team's third and fourth line on most shifts. It also puts Eminger (four goals, 12 assists) on the ice with rookie Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals' leading scorer, more often, further enhancing Eminger's scoring prospects.

"You can't help but to be more offensive when you are playing against another team's third and fourth lines instead of having to key in on guys like [Atlanta's Ilya] Kovalchuk or [Ottawa's Dany] Heatley," Eminger said. "It's giving me a chance to play an offensive game.

"Whenever you aren't at the pace you were at before, you don't want lose confidence that it won't come back. You just have to think tonight is going to be the night."

There's no better time than now for Eminger to break out his slump, particularly with the Flyers back in town. Last Saturday, the Capitals stunned the Atlantic Division leaders, 4-3, in a shootout.

Ovechkin 'Okay' After Big Hit

Ovechkin left practice early with some discomfort in his right leg. The rookie said he tweaked a muscle in his thigh after absorbing a heavy body check from 6-foot-9, 260-pound Ottawa defenseman Zdeno Chara in the third period of the Capitals' 3-1 loss to the Senators on Wednesday.

Ovechkin (team-leading 24 goals and 22 assists) said he expects to be in the lineup against the Flyers.

"I don't worry about it," Ovechkin said. "It's okay."

Ovechkin sported a blue-tinted visor on his helmet, replacing the trademark smoke-colored visor he usually wears. But don't expect to see him wear it in a game -- yet.

"I am just trying it," he said.

Health Update

There was good news regarding the health of Jeff Halpern (knee) and Jeff Friesen (sports hernia surgery).

Halpern, the Capitals' captain and second-leading scorer with three goals and 19 assists, could return for Sunday's game against the Florida Panthers, but said he more likely will suit up Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I might take the pre-game skate" on Friday, Halpern said. "It's been getting better every day."

Friesen, who has been out since early November, has targeted the Jan. 13 game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for his return. Friesen got off to a slow start before the injury, but the five-time 20-goal scorer could provide the struggling Capitals with a significant boost down the stretch.