Clark Looks to Return Tomorrow

Even though the Washington Capitals are in the midst of a season-threatening slump, their captain wore a big smile as he removed his pads after yesterday's practice.

That's because, for the entire hour-and-a-half session at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Chris Clark didn't experience any headaches, dizziness or equilibrium issues. His legs felt good, and his lungs did, too. His only complaint was some minor discomfort caused by the plastic flap that's protecting his left ear, which was nearly severed when it was struck by Alex Ovechkin's slap shot nine games ago.

"Once that feeling of vertigo subsided, I knew I would be okay," said Clark, who remains on injured reserve but confirmed that he plans to play tomorrow at Florida. "I feel great.

"But it's been a long two weeks. That's lot of time to miss. I feel like I can help. Just being out there will make me feel better, because you just feel so helpless when you're not playing."

The past two weeks have been just as difficult for his Capitals, who have dropped five of their past six games and sunk into a three-way tie for the fewest points in the NHL with 13. The club also ranks in the bottom third in goals per game (2.35) and power-play effectiveness (15.8 percent). But Clark, a 30-goal scorer last season and a force in front of the net, should make an immediate impact, skating on the top line with Ovechkin and Michael Nylander as well as on the power play.

"Getting Tom Poti back has made us better, and getting Chris Clark back will make us better," Coach Glen Hanlon said.

When the Capitals' injury woes were at their worst two weeks ago, an already-shallow roster was left without Clark, former 38-goal scorer Alexander Semin and top defenseman Poti. Poti returned to the lineup last week after missing six games because of a strained groin muscle.

Semin's return from a sprained right ankle remains less certain, though there were signs yesterday that he is closer to coming back. He skated on his own in full pads for about 30 minutes, marking his most vigorous on-ice activity since he aggravated the injury Oct. 27 at St. Louis. Although no timetable has been set for Semin's return, it was seen as a positive development.

"It's going to be nice to get Clarkie back, especially since it was my fault he was injured," Ovechkin said. "I'm happy. He's our captain, and he'll help us. And if Semin comes back soon, that's going to help us, too."

Fleischmann Stands Out

Since returning after a one-game benching on Oct. 26, Tomas Fleischmann has responded with three goals and five points. His four goals in 16 games match his total from a season ago and have him on pace to score 20.

"When I was scratched against Vancouver, I started to think to myself, 'Do I want to be scratched all season, or do I want to play?' " said Fleischmann, whose game has flourished since being put on a line with Nicklas Backstrom and Viktor Kozlov. "I know I can play. So I want to prove it. I'm trying to push myself to the level. It's in the head. It's good I figured it out now rather than later."

Hanlon also praised Fleischmann's play without the puck.

"Players all get comfortable at different levels," he said. "They're all not Alex Ovechkins in terms of their personalities. He's got himself over a hump. For him, it's a matter of finding our how good a hockey player he is." . . .

Washington's American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa., is off to a sluggish start after back-to-back appearances in the Calder Cup finals. The Bears are 4-7-0 and in last place in the East Division with eight points. . . .

Backstrom was tied for fourth in rookie scoring through Monday's games with eight points (one goal).