Ovechkin finally gets supporting cast

By Steve Ginsburg

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Washington Capitals have significantly upgraded the supporting cast for high-scoring left wing Alexander Ovechkin yet coach Glen Hanlon is playing down the club's chances of a post-season berth.

"We've had a fairly decent pre-season," Hanlon told Reuters on Tuesday. "Being .500 (3-3) isn't a 92-point season and that's what we needed last year to get into the playoffs.

"We have a ways to go before we can call ourselves a playoff team. We've got miles to go before we sleep."

The new-look Capitals hope to get out of the blocks quickly on Friday when they visit the defending Southeast Division champion Atlanta Thrashers in the season-opener for both teams.

Washington has performed poorly in the two seasons since the NHL's player lockout ended, failing to make the playoffs with a roster that provided little help for Ovechkin.

But the Capitals dipped into the offseason free-agent market by signing talented forwards Michael Nylander and Viktor Kozlov and defenseman Tom Poti.

Suddenly, opposing teams cannot afford simply to shut down the 22-year-old Ovechkin.

"The team looks very good," said Ovechkin, who had 92 points last season compared to 106 in his rookie campaign in 2005-06. "The locker room has an unbelievable atmosphere. Everybody is laughing.