Calle Johansson

Opponent: San Jose SharksSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7: 30TV/Radio: Ch. 50/WTEM (570 AM)Outlook: The Capitals return from an 0-3-1 West Coast trip and are 0-for-December. They are in the midst of their worst streak under coach Jim Schoenfeld, 1-8-1 in their past 10 games. Veteran defensemen Calle Johansson (broken jaw) and Sylvain Cote (strained knee) have been cleared to play in tonight's game.Pub Date: 12/20/96

WASHINGTON - Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals, said he was once told life has only three acts. It is the third act - redemption and comeback - that interests Leonsis as his NHL team plays its first game of the season tonight. "I've been living the second act," said Leonsis, describing the plot this way: The new kid comes out of nowhere to score success in the first act, gets overconfident and too big for his britches and takes a tumble into reality in Act 2. "We're back at square one, where we have to make the playoffs," said the owner.

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers are big, fast and talented, and after last night's 5-2 victory in Game 2 of this NHL Eastern Conference semifinal series, they probably believe they will be advancing to the Eastern Conference finals in another two games.But for 50 minutes, 47 seconds last night, the Washington Capitals gave the Rangers and the sellout crowd of 18,200 at Madison Square Garden everything they could handle."We're going home, into a building where we've played very well in the postseason," said Washington center Dave Poulin.

The Washington Capitals' preparation for tonight's game in Buffalo was going on as usual at Piney Orchard Ice Arena yesterday, but the scene was eerily different. It was quiet on the ice. Every skate blade scraping the surface grated on the ears. Every tap of the stick echoed around the boards. The electricity that had surrounded the Capitals' drive toward the final Eastern Conference playoff spot the last month was gone. That's the way it is the day after elimination. With two games left, the Caps know they aren't going anywhere.

The Washington Capitals have had streaks of six losses, six wins and now four losses. They gave up an average of 6.0 goals in their first five games, but have allowed three or fewer over 14 of the past 15.They have the NHL's hottest goalie, Rick Tabaracci, but 20 games into the season, they're below .500 and fifth in the Atlantic Division."

Rod Langway could be back in the NHL next season, but it won't be with the Washington Capitals.The Caps released their longtime defenseman yesterday, a formality that ended a turmoil-riddled, yearlong relationship between team and player.Langway, 36, is now free to negotiate with any other club and, according to his agent, there have been serious talks that would give Langway a chance to return to the NHL."Rod will be wearing a team jersey next year," said Mark Barondess, when reached at his office in Tysons Corner, Va.Langway did not return a phone call last night.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals had been searching for a way out of a goal-scoring nightmare and last night they found one.A short-handed goal by Dave Poulin, an even-strength strike by Kelly Miller, a power-play goal by Calle Johansson and a solid performance by goalie Rick Tabaracci produced a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.Poulin, with an assist from Tabaracci, gave Washington an early lead. After Florida had taken a 2-1 lead, Poulin blasted a shot from inside the blue line that Miller was able to put away, setting up Johansson's game-winner.

PHILADELPHIA - The Washington Capitals, who have prided themselves on defense for at least two decades, came into last night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers ranked No. 29 among 30 teams in goals-against average. They came in off one of the most humiliating losses in team history, giving up 11 goals in a loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. They came in hoping to show the Flyers and themselves that they could rebound from such ignoble performances. Instead, the Flyers played the Capitals as if they were a cheap pinball machine in a penny arcade and dealt Washington its seventh loss in nine games, 5-0. It was the fourth time Washington has been shut out this season.

The Washington Capitals' early season success has made the rest of the NHL take notice.Washington usually begins the season on a sour note, struggles through the first three months, starts to find itself around the first of the year and makes a late-season surge to get into the playoffs.Not so this season. The Capitals have done a complete turnaround. They came out of the gate flying and give no indication of letting up. They are off to their best start (11-3-0) in franchise history, have scored the most goals (67)

WASHINGTON - The Washington Capitals have gone beyond feeling as if they're walking a tightrope on ice skates. Last night, they played with the sense of urgency necessary to climb from three games below .500 and into the playoffs. But the Caps got precious little for it, as Washington lost to the Florida Panthers, 2-1. The Capitals made two - just two - costly mistakes, and that was the difference. And even those two blown coverages by the team's top line of Adam Oates, Jaromir Jagr, Dmitri Khristich, Joe Reekie and Sergei Gonchar that allowed goals by Ivan Novoseltsev and Pavel Bure might have been overcome if not for a stone-wall like performance by Florida goalie Roberto Luongo.

PHILADELPHIA - The Washington Capitals, who have prided themselves on defense for at least two decades, came into last night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers ranked No. 29 among 30 teams in goals-against average. They came in off one of the most humiliating losses in team history, giving up 11 goals in a loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. They came in hoping to show the Flyers and themselves that they could rebound from such ignoble performances. Instead, the Flyers played the Capitals as if they were a cheap pinball machine in a penny arcade and dealt Washington its seventh loss in nine games, 5-0. It was the fourth time Washington has been shut out this season.

Opponent: San Jose SharksSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7: 30TV/Radio: Ch. 50/WTEM (570 AM)Outlook: The Capitals return from an 0-3-1 West Coast trip and are 0-for-December. They are in the midst of their worst streak under coach Jim Schoenfeld, 1-8-1 in their past 10 games. Veteran defensemen Calle Johansson (broken jaw) and Sylvain Cote (strained knee) have been cleared to play in tonight's game.Pub Date: 12/20/96

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals emerged from their version of purgatory last night. On their sixth attempt this season, the Capitals finally reached .500 with a strong-checking, 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens."

Washington Capitals goalie Jim Carey has heard the predictions and seen the preseason reviews. The Capitals are supposed to be the fifth-best team in the National Hockey League and one of the top contenders for the Stanley Cup."Five months ago, we were physically beaten up going into the playoffs and no one gave us even a small chance of beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs," said Carey, who earned the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goalie in the regular season.