On the Beat: Wacky Wednesday

What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• The Washington Capitals were back at practice early today after losing 6-5 to the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime last night. The Capitals are having no trouble scoring goals or nice goals (Semin may have the inside track on goal of the year so far) but that defense needs tinkering.

• Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson will get the start in net tonight over Marc-Andre Fleury against the lame-duck Phoenix Coyotes, says head coach Dan Bylsma. Also, Chris Bourque could make his Pittsburgh debut tonight.
• New York Islanders sophomore stud forward Kyle Okposo, a huge baseball fan, was closely watching the sudden-death MLB AL Central tie-breaker between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins last night that required extra innings, with the Twins coming out victorious 6-5. It was a spectacular game, but some people watching the game on Rogers Sportsnet West must have been super upset when they were unable to watch the finish. When the Calgary Flames/Montreal Canadiens game interrupted the game on Sportsnet West, the only channel broadcasting the finish was Sportsnet East. Voice your frustration in the comments section!
• Newsday’s Steve Zipay says that super-agitator Sean Avery will not play tomorrow night against the Washington Capitals, but he is hoping to play Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks. Rangers Report writer Rick Carpiniello muses over which forward should come out of the line-up upon Avery’s return.
• Understandably, head coach Jacques Lemaire is saying very little about goalie Martin Brodeur’s performance thus far this season (eight goals allowed in two games). The Devils begin a three game road trip tomorrow against the Lightning and would obviously like to get a one for the win column already.
• Minnesota Wild head coach Todd Richards thinks he has a good thing going with Petr Sykora and Martin Havlat on the same line and Richards will stick with what’s working on the heels of last night’s come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Sykora scores wherever he goes and Havlat usually excels with skilled players.