Ovechkin is a given. Kozlov has contributed at a good clip since Nylander was lost to the rotator cuff. Mike Green is leading the NHL in goals from the blueline.

But for the final stretch run the Caps are going to need increased scoring from some folks who have had difficult seasons either because of injury or prolonged slumps.

Semin has 14 goals and needs to come on strong as the 1A option for the Caps in getting favorable matchups from other teams. He is contributing but is still working his way back into shape and is not yet the consistent presence he was last season.

Nicklas Backstrom is having a fine rookie season with 36 assists, but he has to press forward to the net and try to punch in some more tallies for this club. Against the Rangers, Backstrom twice passed on good shots to give Ovechkin and Semin less favorable chances.

Matt Pettinger. I don't know what happened to Matt this season, but a guy who is usually around 20 goals has not really stepped up even with the injuries to Nylander and Clark to be a scoring presence on the off lines.

Chris Clark. The team simply has to get Clark back on the ice, because he has the best sense of how to take advantage of the attention focused on Alex Ovechkin. His 30 goals last season as the RW on the #1 line showed that.

Tom Poti. While Green has emerged as a backline point producer, it has not been lost on a lot of us that Poti was brought here to improve the power play by being a playmaker of consequence. His numbers since returning from injury are poor.

Eric Fehr. I don't want to put too much pressure on a guy that just finished a 10 game rehab assignment in the minors and who has less than 30 games of NHL experience. But if there was ever a time for a 6'3 guy who takes up space in front to materialize, THIS would be the time.