Caps Hope for a Top of the Line Product

Tomas Fleischmann started the season on the Washington Capitals' top line, skating alongside all-star left wing Alex Ovechkin. The arrangement didn't last long.

But now Fleischmann is getting a second chance to play with the NHL's leading goal scorer -- and this time, the 23-year-old Czech said he's determined to prove he belongs there.

Since joining Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom two games ago, Fleischmann has a pair of goals and an assist. While it's not exactly an offensive explosion, it's an improvement for a player who had only six goals and 15 assists in the previous 54 contests.

"It's easy to play with those two guys because you have a great shooter on the left side and a great passer in the middle," said Fleischmann, a natural left wing who has switched to right wing. "So far, it's good. The puck is going in."

As a result of the early success, Coach Bruce Boudreau is sticking with Fleischmann. For now, at least. Fleischmann is expected be on the top line again tonight when the Capitals host the New York Islanders, winners of their last four games.

"It's only been two games," Boudreau said. "If it was a consistent thing [over] eight to 10 games, then I would be able to give you a better answer. But hopefully that can be a line that doesn't have to broken up."

Putting Fleischmann with Ovechkin and Backstrom has allowed Boudreau to create two balanced scoring lines. Boudreau moved the versatile Viktor Kozlov to the second line, where he now centers Alexander Semin. Kozlov received the primary assist on Semin's game-winner in Tampa on Saturday night.

"It gives you two options," Boudreau said. "You can keep Kozlov at center to get acclimated, instead of going back and forth [to wing]. And Kozlov and Semin can get a relationship."

Fleischmann attributes the recent uptick in his production to two things: Ovechkin's speed and Backstrom's creativity. Ovechkin (48 goals and 78 points ) forces opposing defensemen to back off, providing the trio with more room to operate. Meanwhile, Backstrom's playmaking skills means the puck is being passed around, rather than dumped in.

"The 'D' are scared from Alex because he can blow around them, so they stay back which gives you more room everywhere, especially in the neutral zone," Fleischmann said. "You can get more speed, and when you can get speed, that helps."

He added: "Nicklas has great vision and he's a great passer. He moves the puck quick and finds the open space."

Ovechkin, who has played with seven different right wings this season, said the line has started to develop chemistry after two games and three practices together.

"When you play couple of times together, you try to figure out what's going on, like where he's open and what side he likes the puck," Ovechkin said. "It's working."

Which is exactly what it must keep doing tonight against Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro. DiPietro has a record of 8-3-1 all-time against the Capitals as well as 1.99 goals against average and .924 save percentage.

But New York won't have Andy Sutton, who tore a hamstring on Monday and is expected to miss four to six weeks. He is the latest Islanders defenseman to be sidelined, joining Brendan Witt (knee sprain) and Bruno Gervais (oblique strain).

For the Capitals, it's another big game in a critical home stretch that's going to determine whether they reach the postseason for the first time in four seasons. For Fleischmann, it's another opportunity to prove he's deserving of an increased role after signing a two-year contract extension last Wednesday.

"Maybe it's his mind-set more than anything else," Boudreau said of Fleischmann's recent surge. "Maybe he feels more comfortable or he has more room, or that he feels more important because he's [on the first line]. But whatever it is, I want it to continue because I want him to be successful."

Capitals Note: Defenseman Tom Poti, who missed the past two games with bruised thigh, said he plans to return to the lineup tonight.