Injured Kozlov Could Miss 2 Weeks

The Washington Capitals could be without first-line right wing Viktor Kozlov for two weeks because of an injury, General Manager George McPhee said yesterday. Although the team has declined to provide details of the injury, Kozlov appeared to hurt his left leg in the second period of Monday's 5-1 victory over Vancouver when he was hit along the boards by Canucks defenseman Rob Davison.

Kozlov skated off gingerly and did not return to the game. He was examined by team doctors yesterday.

"We suspect it will be a couple of weeks," McPhee said.

The absence of Kozlov, who has one assist, could be disruptive to the Capitals' top line as the team prepares for a tough stretch that begins tomorrow in Pittsburgh. During yesterday's practice, Coach Bruce Boudreau replaced Kozlov with Chris Clark, a rugged winger who has had success playing with Alex Ovechkin in the past.

"It's a consideration," Boudreau said. "They've played there before, Ovie and Clark."

Wingers Alexander Semin and Donald Brashear also did not practice, though Boudreau said both are expected to practice today. Semin is not injured, Boudreau said, and Brashear was sore after being struck on the hand by a puck against Vancouver.

Fedorov's New Role

Boudreau was coy when asked if veteran center Sergei Fedorov would play on defense for a second straight game against the Penguins. But it's clear what answer Fedorov wants to hear.

"It was fun because you play every third shift," said Fedorov, who has been used on defense occasionally throughout his career. "There's a rhythm. You stay in the game. I really did enjoy it. It kept me alert."

Fedorov logged 20 minutes 21 seconds of ice time, fired four shots on goal and had a plus-minus rating of plus-3, all season highs, against the Canucks. His heady play in the Capitals' end also benefited defensive partner Milan Jurcina, who had his best game. Jurcina scored his first goal since last October and took four shots on net, his highest total in more than two seasons.

Fedorov's performance earned praise from Boudreau and his teammates, but the 38-year-old said there's plenty of room for improvement. He said he had a couple of mix-ups in front of the net and accidentally hindered goalie Brent Johnson's view a few times.

"I'm good, but I'm not that good," he said with a laugh. "It's challenging."

Fedorov practiced with the forwards yesterday, but Boudreau cautioned not to read too much into that.

"We didn't have enough forwards to practice," Boudreau said. "We'll talk and see whether he plays defense again. So far it's been an okay thing." . . .

Ovechkin said the Capitals' four Russians were deeply saddened about the sudden death of New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov, who died of heart failure during a Continental Hockey League game in Russia on Monday. Ovechkin said he crossed paths with Cherepanov, a New York Rangers first-round draft pick in 2007, in 2005 when both practiced with Omsk.

"It was hard news for me, for all of our four guys," Ovechkin said. "All of my mind was all about him. I was so sad. If it's true that there was no ambulance there, it can't be like this."

Goalie Maneuvering

McPhee said he's close to loaning out one of the three goaltending prospects in Hershey of the American Hockey League. The leading candidate to be shipped out appears to be Michal Neuvirth. Because Neuvirth has not suited up for the Bears, even if he is loaned out to another AHL team, he can return to Hershey this season. Simeon Varlamov and Daren Machesney have both played for the Bears (3-0).

"We may have an answer in a day or so," McPhee said. . . .

Semin leads the Capitals with three goals and three assists. Boudreau said he attributes Semin's strong start to the fact that he's shooting more and expending less energy attempting to beat defenders one-on-one. Through three games, Semin has 15 shots on goal, a total he didn't reach until his fifth game last season.