Team Out of Running, but There's More to Accomplish

Although the Washington Capitals won't be playing for the Stanley Cup this spring, at least six of the club's players could find themselves competing for another shiny silver prize: the world championship trophy.

Chris Clark and Brian Pothier will represent the United States, Milan Jurcina will play for Slovakia, Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin will suit up for Russia and prospect Nicklas Backstrom will skate for Sweden next month in Moscow, the host city for hockey's third most prestigious tournament after the NHL playoffs and Olympics.

"I want our players to continue to develop," General Manager George McPhee said yesterday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. "It's a high level of play and the games are intense."

The tournament, which will run April 27-May 14, has added significance for Ovechkin, who will be playing in his home town, and Pothier, who will be playing for his country for the first time.

"I've never done anything with Team USA, ever," he said. "Anytime you can put yourself in a situation where you can put yourself in a playoff atmosphere, that's a good thing."

American forward Ben Clymer had planned to participate before opting for season-ending abdominal surgery last week. Goaltender Brent Johnson, meantime, still could be named to the U.S. team.

Although the possibility of suffering a serious injury exists, Coach Glen Hanlon believes it's a risk worth taking, saying: "These guys can't live in plastic bubbles. You can't go through your career not doing things because you're afraid of getting hurt."

Semin, Muir Scuffle

Semin and Bryan Muir dropped their gloves and exchanged punches toward the end of yesterday's practice. The confrontation began after Muir checked Semin in the corner during a five-on-five drill. Neither player was injured during the fight, but Muir appeared to be bleeding from the nose. Ironically, it was enforcer Donald Brashear who broke up the scrap.

"It's the heat of the battle," Muir said. "It's just one of those things. I pushed him into the boards and he took exception to it. He showed a little feistiness. That was good."

Penguins Can Clinch

NHL leading scorer Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, tonight's opponent at Verizon Center, could clinch the franchise's first playoff berth since 2001 with a victory over the Capitals and a loss by the New York Islanders. Pittsburgh also remains in the mix for the Atlantic Division title and could reach the 100-point plateau, one season after managing a meager 58.

New Uniforms Previewed

Reebok outfitted the team with the new form-fitting uniform jerseys and socks the league is switching to next year. The prototypes worn yesterday were devoid of logos and stripes. Although the Capitals are planning to return to a red, white and blue color scheme next season, an official announcement about the switch has yet to be made. . . .

Center Brian Sutherby (severely bruised thumb) has not skated since suffering the injury on March 16 and could miss the remaining six games. . . . Clymer is scheduled to have surgery in St. Louis on Friday. He will require six to eight weeks of rehabilitation. . . . While the Capitals were in Montreal over the weekend, McPhee scouted highly touted center Angelo Esposito of the Quebec Remparts (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). The 18-year-old is expected to be among the first players taken in June's entry draft.