WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 1: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals falls onto the ice in front of goalie Craig Anderson of the Florida Panthers during a NHL hockey game on March 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

In the end the Panther's took the Caps to the shed for a beating, final score was 6-2. The score would have been 6-1, if not for the determination of Alex Ovechkin in the final minute that he was going to score. Down on the ice gave me the opportunity to see the determination in Alex's eyes, he was absolutely going to score, nothing was going to stop him.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 1: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals following his goal late in the third period against goalie Craig Anderson of the Florida Panthers during a NHL hockey game on March 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

The photo above is of Alex just after his goal; no trademark fist-pumping, no jump into the boards, or big toothy smile. That goal was for Alex alone. The lack of celebration? Maybe that was for Don Cherry.

Enjoy the slideshow below by clicking on the photo. Then you can click on the square in the lower right hand corner for a full screen slideshow.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.03.01 Washington Capitals vs. Florida Panthers, Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: The Capitals fell 4-2 Tuesday night to the Philadelphia Flyers. Washington led until the middle of the third period when Philadelphia scored three quick goals to win. Here, the teams pile up in front of Philadelphia's goal during the second period. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Nicklas Backstrom earns the first goal of the night, just over a minute into the game. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Ovechkin tries to regain posession of the puck during the second period. Ovechkin scored Washington's second goal this period, his 44th of the season. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 22: Geico's Cave Man cheers on the Washington Capitals during a NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 22, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

With today's 5-2 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins the Caps have now captured all three meetings so far this year. While the last win took last minute heroics, the Caps put this in the bag in the second period when the went up and held the 5-2 margin.

Enjoy the slideshow below by clicking on the photo. Then you can click on the square in the lower right hand corner for a full screen slideshow.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.02.22 Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

The photo above is Alex O as he goes into his back slide before making an incredible goal. Enjoy the following slideshow of pictures from the game.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's Washington Capitals Vs. Montreal Canadiens photoset

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 18: Andre Cornelius and Mike Morrison scramble for the ball in a conference game against the Drexel Dragons. The game was tied eight times and both teams held the lead several times. The Patriots came back from a three point deficit with a minute left in the game to win 49-48. The Patriots remain undefeated at home. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 18: Darryl Monroe scores for the Patriots. Monroe led George Mason in scoring, earning 15 points. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 18: Cam Long tangles with one of the Dragons early in Wednesday's game. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 14: Andre Cornelius #2 of the George Mason Patriots drives to the basket against the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Mason lost its fifth straight road game on Thursday night to Delaware. Despite suffering on the road they are still in third place behind Northeastern and VCU. Which made their homecoming verse Northeastern all that more important. The last time these two teams met up was a thriller a month ago in Boston, NE won in the last seconds of the game.

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 14: Michael Morrison #22 of the George Mason Patriots drives on Chris Alvarez #2 of the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

At the end of the first half NE lead Mason 20-17. Both teams defense lived up to their reputation and repeatedly shut down their opponents. There were a few sloppy plays and turnovers but for the most part the defense was the story for both teams.

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 14: Dre Smith #2 of the George Mason Patriots draws a foul from the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

The other highlight for the Patriots was a growing phenomenon known as Mason Nation. G-M-U! What! G-M-U! What! That was the war cry for a packed homecoming game at the Patriot Center. The student sections sprawled up to the rafters, compared to over the winter break were the same sections were only a dozen rows deep at most.

George Mason went on to win the game 64-53 which keeps them undefeated at home. They will take on Drexel Wednesday night and hopefully keep their home streak alive. They need all the wins they can get to boost their confidence as they soon will enter the month of madness.

Story by Brian Collins

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.02.14 George Mason vs. Northeastern, Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

OffWing's contributing correspondent, Jon Swenson of the Sharkspage, is covering the SAP tennis tournament in San Jose, CA. The SAP pulls some of the biggest names in Men's tennis, all competing for than $1 million in prize money.

View the opening day coverage here.

• ANDY RODDICK
• JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO
• JAMES BLAKE
• MARDY FISH
• RADEK STEPANEK
• JARKKO NIEMINEN
• NICOLAS KIEFER
• SAM QUERREY
• IGOR KUNITSYN
• ROBBY GINEPRI
• ERNESTS GULBIS
• TAYLOR DENT
• FLORENT SERRA
• STEVE DARCIS
• GUILLERMO GARCIA-LOPEZ
• KEI NISHIKORI
• YEN-HSUN LU
• LLEYTON HEWITT
• CHRISTOPHE ROCHUS
• BOBBY REYNOLDS
• VINCENT SPADEA
• GUILLERMO CANAS
• TOMMY HAAS

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 7: Mike Green of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammate Jeff Schultz following his third period goal against the Florida Panthers during a NHL hockey game on February 7, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

"He's (Mike Green) pretty good," said Capital's Coach Bruce Boudreau. "He even played well defensively today." Green scored the game winner at the beginning of the third period and then put the game out of reach when he scored an empty-net goal late with just over a minute left in play.

Green continued his hot hand by scoring twice in tonight's game, now the longest goal streak ever by a Washington defenseman, having now scored goals in his last seven straight games. He scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season.

After tonight's game the Capitals hold a 13-point lead over Florida in the Southeast Division standings, sitting second in the Eastern Conference.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 7: Jose Theodore of the Washington Capitals stops Ville Peltonen of the Florida Panthers from scoring during a NHL hockey game on February 7, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

For more photos of game action visit our OffWing Photo flickr gallery.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.02.07 Washington Capitals vs. Florida Panthers , Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals controls the puck during a NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings on February 5, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

Alex Ovechkin scored his 200th NHL career goal and has now become only the fourth player in NHL history to score 200 goals in his first four years in the league. With this goal he also erased another NHL franchise that he hasn't scored on, now the list only includes the San Jose Sharks.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Brook Laich of the Washington Capitals celebrates his third period goal with team mate Alexander Semin during a NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings on February 5, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

Mike Green continued his scoring hot streak and now leads all defenseman in the league with his 17 goals. Green's production is even more amazing when you consider that there are only 14 players, all forwards, in the NHL who have averaged more points per game.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save during a NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals on February 5, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

Unfortunately last minute heroics came up short and the Kings were able to earn what has been a rare win (5-4) at home against the Capitals in the Verizon Center this year. Goalie Jonathan Quick of the LA Kings able to hold of an onslaught of shots late in third period as the Capitals tried to overcome what had grown to 3 point deficit.

Tonight's game is the second and final match-up this season between the Washington Capitals and the LA Kings. Back in November, it was the Kings that got the win (5-2), which included three in the third period (two in empty nets).

For more photos of game action visit our OffWing Photo flickr gallery.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.02.05 Washington Capitals vs. Los Angeles Kings, Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Michal Handzus of the Los Angeles Kings scores against goalie Jose Theodore of the Washington Capitals during a NHL hockey game on February 5, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 3: In his second game back after missing time for a concussion, John Vaughan scored 16 points, leading the Patriots to a 78-54 win over the Hofstra Pride. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 3: Vaughan takes a shot during the second half. Tonight's win gave the Patriots an 11-0 home record and ensured George Mason will enjoy a winning season. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - FEBRUARY 3: Freshman Andre Cornelius earned six points for George Mason. The Patriots will take on James Madison Universty Feb. 7. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scores in the first period against goalie Brian Elliot of the Ottawa Senators during a NHL hockey game on February 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Ottawa Head Coach probably summed it up best following the game speaking about Alex Ovechkin, "He's the star of the league. People pay a lot of money to come watch him play and he performs every night. He's certainly worth the price of admission; not for the other team, he isn't, but certainly for the fans."

The Caps had an outstanding weekend at home. This weekend they had a big win against the Detroit Redwings and today they kept the momentum going in winning 7-4 against the visiting Ottawa Senators. "It's important because if we get into the play-offs and you have to play back-to-back like Monday/Tuesday, Thursday/Friday type thing you can't let emotion be the sole dictator of how you play, said Coach Bruce Boudreau. "You have to do it day after day after day. We wanted to make a point of playing well after and emotional day yesterday."

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Mike Green of the Washington Capitals celebrates following his first period score against goalie Brian Elliot of the Ottawa Senators during a NHL hockey game on February 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

For more photos of game action visit our OffWing Photo flickr gallery.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.02.01 Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators, Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Goalie Brent Johnson of the Washington Capitals makes a save during a NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators on February 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 27: Louis Birdsong tries to recover the ball during tonight's game at the Patriot Center. The Patriots only had a two-point lead entering the second half, but managed a 78-55 win over the Blue Hens. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 27: Darryl Monroe takes a shot early in the first half; he posted 6 points for the patriots. Scoring was led by Michael Morrison and Dre Smith, who each earned 14 points. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 5: Daryl Monroe #32 of the George Mason Patriots shoots against the Georgia State Panthers during a conference men's basketball game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on January 5, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Tonight's game was a battle for first place both Georgia State and GMU were 2-0 in the conference. The only other team undefeated in the conference is Northwestern which Mason will take on in two weeks. Mason will be seeking revenge from last year's match up with Georgia State where the Patriots lost a 16 point lead in the last four minutes of the game.

At the end of the first half Mason held Georgia State to only 21 points while scoring 27 themselves. Mason struggled from three point range only sinking one of ten. The real story was Monroe at 6'7" who was more then Georgia State could handle and dominated in the paint fighting for seven rebounds and ten points. Defenders had a difficult time guarding him as he overpowered them using his large frame to his advantage.

FAIRFAX, VA - JANUARY 5: Dre Smith #1 of the George Mason Patriots shoots against the Georgia State Panthers during a conference men's basketball game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on January 5, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

In the second half Mason was a little sloppy having several turnovers and almost allowed Georgia State back into the game. One of the highlights of the second half was when Mason in-bounded the ball off the back of the opposing team to then blow by him on a break. This wasn't the most technical of plays or one a coach really likes to see but the crowd sure loved it and Mason went on to win 58-52.

For more photos of game action visit our OffWing Photo flickr gallery.

Story by Brian Collins

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009-01-05 GMU Patriots vs. Georgia State Panthers (Allen Clark/www.offwingphoto.com) photoset

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 3: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals tries to center the puck against Petr Prucha of the New York Rangers during a NHL hockey game on January 3, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com)

WWASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 3: Eric Fehr of the Washington Capitals tries to score against goalie Steve Valiquette of the New York Rangers during a NHL hockey game on January 3, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com)

For more photos of game action visit theOffWing Photo flickr gallery.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.01.03 Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers, Allen Clark/OffWing Photo photoset

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 1: David Steckel of the Washington Capitals celebrates following his goal against goalie Mike Smith of the Tampa Bay Lightning during a NHL hockey game on January 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 1: Mike Green of the Washington Capitals and Adam Hall of the Tampa Bay Lightning struggle for control of the puck during a NHL hockey game on January 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 1: Goalie Mike Smith of the Tampa Bay Lightning fails to make a diving save against Boyd Gordon of the Washington Capitals during a NHL hockey game on January 1, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com)

For more photos of game action visit our OffWing Photo flickr gallery.

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion's 2009.01.01 Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Allen Clark/OffWing Photo photoset