For the Capitals, Ovechkin and Leonsis, 'as Good as It Gets'

Ted Leonsis has been a historian of the Washington Capitals from their birth in 1974, first as a fan and for the past nine years as their majority owner. On Thursday night, Leonsis was in Toronto for the NHL awards dinner that, Leonsis said, turned into one the five "most significant nights" in the 34-year history of the franchise.

Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals' 22-year-old superstar left wing, won the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP, by vote of the media, and the Lester B. Pearson award for most outstanding player, according to his peers. In addition, Bruce Boudreau, who took over last Thanksgiving with the Caps in last place, won the Jack Adams Award as the best coach. He guided the team to its first playoff appearance in four seasons with a stirring 37-17-7 record and made hundreds of fans in town and throughout the NHL by simply remaining himself.

Center Nicklas Backstrom made the all-rookie team and was second to Patrick Kane of Chicago for rookie of the year.

"Last night was as good as it gets," Leonsis said after returning to Washington on Friday. "To have such a player as Ovechkin sweep the key awards and our coach winning over Detroit's Mike Babcock, who won the Stanley Cup, is so special."

Ovechkin capped his local success when he received a key to the city Friday from D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.

"Last November, when we made the change to Bruce, people were unhappy with us," Leonsis said. "One hundred days later, we're selling out every game."

Leonsis said he expects to sell 5,000 additional season tickets, boosting his base to 12,000 by next winter and surpassing last year's average crowd of 15,772. Is Detroit threatened as Hockeytown, USA? "Not until we win the Stanley Cup," Leonsis replied.

"But our fans can smell it. They suffered for several years, but they know we can be good for a long time. They know our players and have watched them grow up and play better and better. Now the rest of the hockey world knows it."

Bumper Crop Down on the Farm

The future, we're told by proponents of the "Washington Nationals Plan," is youth. The farmhands. A minor league system now rated No. 10 by Baseball America, which two years ago ranked the Nationals last among 30 major league teams.

The Nationals have eight minor league affiliates -- from AAA Columbus down to two Dominican summer league teams -- including the high Class A Potomac Nationals, first-half champions of the Carolina League's Northern Division.

Potomac was the organization's first affiliate to clinch a playoff berth since the move from Montreal in 2005.

While the parent Nats are struggling to avoid sinking to the worst record in the majors, the baby Nats (42-26 through Friday) work 29 miles south of Nationals Park in Woodbridge's cozy Pfitzner Stadium.