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Ovechkin, Capitals look to snap four-game skid vs. Lightning

Oct 24, 2007 - 1:59 PM Tampa Bay (4-2-0) at Washington (3-4-0) 7:00 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Capitals have had one of the league's worst offenses so far this season.

Alex Ovechkin will hope to put an end to the Capitals' offensive woes and their four-game losing streak when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday in a battle of Southeast Division foes.

Washington has failed to score more than three goals in any of its seven contests this season and has managed a total of just 14 tallies this season. Only the New York Rangers have less with 13.

Ovechkin leads the club with four goals while no other player has more than two. The 22-year-old Russian also has collected a team-leading six points. He had his six-game point streak brought to an end Saturday in the Capitals' 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Washington's major free-agent acquisitions, Michael Nylander and Viktor Kozlov, have each accounted for two goals, while 19-year-old rookie Nicklas Backstrom is yet to tally his first. Backstrom does lead the team with five assists.

The Lightning's offense is a different story. Vaclav Prospal scored twice in a 6-2 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers on Sunday to put him among the league leaders with seven tallies in just six games.

Vincent Lecavalier, who won the Maurice Richard Trophy last season with 52 goals, has recorded four goals and eight points this season. Lecavalier has 20 goals and 40 points in 44 career games against the Capitals.

Johan Holmqvist has seen the majority of action in the crease for Tampa Bay this season, posting a 4-1-0 record with a 2.62 goals-against average.

On the other end of the rink, Olaf Kolzig has allowed eight goals in his previous two starts - both losses - after winning his first two games, allowing just one goal. Kolzig went just 2-4-0 with a 3.88 GAA against the Lightning in 2006-07.