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Ovechkin, Capitals face division rival Hurricanes

Nov 6, 2008 - 11:25 AM Carolina (7-3-2) at Washington (5-4-2), 7:00 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Alex Ovechkin could not deliver a win in his return to the Washington Capitals' lineup after a two-game absence.

He will try to lift his team against a Southeast Division foe on Thursday, when the Capitals face the first-place Carolina Hurricanes.

Ovechkin returned from a six-day trip back to Russia to be with his ailing grandfather on Tuesday and managed four shots on goal at Ottawa, but Washington settled for a single point as the Senators grabbed a 2-1 victory in overtime.

Ovechkin, the reigning Art Ross, Maurice Richard and Hart Trophy winner, was kept off the scoresheet.

The Hurricanes are coming off two straight wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs and have their offense in high gear, totaling 11 goals in home-and-home series. Chad LaRose and Tuomo Ruutu tallied in each of the games.

Ray Whitney has recorded five points in the last three contests. The left wing leads Carolina with 11 points this season, two more than Eric Staal.

The Hurricanes will be seeking a measure of revenge against the Capitals, who went 9-1-0 over their final 10 games last season to surge into first place in the Southeast, overtaking Carolina by two points.