Forum » performance and there was only a muted response from the Japanese

WASHINGTON -- The playoff-bound Chicago Blackhawks were coasting, and the out-of-it Washington Capitals were trying to act like a team that still had heart. Discount Vapormax . The result was a late-season game with a preseason feel, noteworthy for Alex Ovechkins NHL-leading 51st goal and a shutout from the goalie who was seemingly skittish about facing his former team earlier in the week. Ovechkin and the Capitals beat the Blackhawks 4-0 on Friday night, an impressive-looking result that didnt mean much. Washington still isnt going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, and Chicago is locked into finishing third in the Central Division. "Theyre getting prepared for the playoffs and resting up a bit," Capitals forward Eric Fehr said, "so you dont want to take too much out of a game like that." Jay Beagle had his first career two-goal game, and Nicklas Backstrom also scored as the Capitals won their fourth straight, a winning streak thats rings hollow in D.C. "We want to finish off good," Backstrom said. "The last few games weve been playing all right, even if the games are a little more like a scrimmage." Ovechkins first-period goal -- a one-timer from the back edge of the left circle -- was his 24th on the power play, a Capitals franchise record and the most in the NHL since Steven Stamkos had 24 in the 2009-10 season. Ovechkins power-play output underscores his lack of scoring at even strength over the final six weeks of the season, as well as his minus-35 rating that is among the worst in the league. "Its pretty hard to be mentally ready for that kind of game. ... But soon its going to be, like, five months, play golf and do some stuff," Ovechkin said. "Youre probably going to miss hockey, so thats why you give everything and enjoy your moment." Jaroslav Halak made 34 saves in his first shutout since the trade deadline deal that brought him to Washington from the St. Louis Blues. It was also his first game since a bizarre episode on Tuesday, when he didnt play against the Blues because, according to Washington coach Adam Oates, the goalie wasnt "100 per cent comfortable" with the prospect of facing his former team for the first time. Halaks agent disputed Oates account and said any private conversations between player and coach shouldnt have been made public. Oates said before Fridays game that he had spoken to Halak and things were "all good." After the game, Halak essentially ignored questions about the topic, other than to agree that he and Oates have worked things out. "Theres no problem," Halak said. Meanwhile, about the only thing that can be said about the Blackhawks is that they actually participated in the game, and thats probably a stretch. "Well throw it in the garbage can," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "Well learn a little bit from it, but certainly were not happy about the way things played out. But it was one of those games." Quenneville, who had planned to rest some players over the final two games, gave defenceman Duncan Keith the night off and subbed goalie Corey Crawford after two periods. Still, forward Patrick Sharp was looking for a bit more effort. "Its the NHL. Were professionals," Sharp said. "We should be ready to go." Chicago had its four-game winning streak snapped. The defending Stanley Cup champions have a potential concern as they prepare for a run at another title: They have lost eight of 10 on the road, scoring only 15 goals in those games. "Its just a game we can definitely look past and move on to the next one," Crawford said. "I dont know, lets just forget about it. I dont know what else to day." NOTES: Capitals C Marcus Johansson didnt return after getting hit in the left hand with the puck in the second period. He will also miss Sundays season finale. ... Beagles two goals doubled his season output. His four goals match his career high. White Vapormax Cheap .Y. - Matt Harvey wants to make sure hes on the mound in late October — if the New York Mets get there for the first time since 2006. Nike Vapormax Plus Wholesale . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. http://www.cheapvapormaxtrainers.com/cheap-vapormax-off-white.html . Bowditch, the 30-year-old Australian seeking his first PGA Tour title, shot a 4-under 68 to reach 12 under at TPC San Antonio. Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe were tied for second. Kuchar shot 65, and Loupe had a 70.NATAL, Brazil -- Rock-solid defenders who constantly chase, tackle and bully their opponents have been the key to Greece tactics ever since they became European champions in 2004. A decade ago, that team conceded a miserly four goals at Euro 2004 and its successor only conceded four in qualifying to secure its place at the 2014 World Cup as Greece stayed true to its reputation for hard work and ruthless discipline at the back. That all changed when the squad arrived in Brazil. The teams much-vaunted defence was torn apart in a 3-0 defeat by Colombia, whose display of speed and style sometimes left the Greeks standing around like statues. Greece now faces Japan in Natal on Thursday in a game that could very well put either team out of contention. Japan lost to Ivory Coast 2-1 in its opener, meaning neither team can really afford another defeat if they hope to advance out of Group C. Japan advanced to the round of 16 four years ago but lost to Paraguay on penalties. Greece has bowed out in the group stage in its previous two World Cups. For Greece, the need to rebuild its solid back line will be all the more important at a World Cup that is so far seeing crowd-pleasing flair in attack and plenty of goals: 44 in the first 14 games. Colombia scored in the fifth minute, forcing Greece out of its comfort zone right from the start and attacking with speed on the flanks. Greek frustration was reflected in two of its players drawing yellow cards in the second half. "That wasnt whhat people expected," Greece forward Andreas Samaris said. Fake Off White Vapormax. . "I know what everyone expected of Greece though: that we would have 11 men behind the ball, defend, defend, defend and give everything to keep a clean sheet. "We went out to win against Colombia, and that philosophy will not change. We just hope it brings a better result for us because Japan is now a must, must-win game for us." Like Colombia, Japan is likely to attack at speed through the Europe-based trio of Shinji Kagawa, Yuto Nagatomo and Keisuke Honda. Against Ivory Coast, Japan had the better of the first half but ultimately struggled as the game got more physical in the second half. The arrival of the Ivorians star striker Didier Drogba as a second-half substitute also raised his teams performance and there was only a muted response from the Japanese. AC Milan midfielder Honda said that the team was determined to bounce back against Greece. "Nobody feels good about losing and obviously it was a shock," Honda, who opened the scoring with a powerful first-half strike, was quoted as saying. "But its not a shock that we lost, the thing that shocks me is we lost because we could not play to our strengths. "We gave our opponents front line too much respect. Mentally we were weak but that is not a problem that cant be fixed. A little bit more spirit can turn things around ... of course we still have an opportunity to get through the group phase." ' ' '