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WASHINGTON - Abraham Lincoln returned to the Washington Capitals locker room, shortly after Alex Ovechkin returned to the top of the NHLs goal-scoring race.In fact, they were one and the same.The Capitals have a playful ritual of awarding a stovepipe hat and Lincoln-like beard to a standout player to don after every victory. Yes, it looks as goofy as it sounds.The so-called Honest Abe Players Player of the Game ceremony had been on hiatus for nearly two weeks, the victim of a four-game losing streak padded around the All-Star break. The most honest thing coming from the Capitals was coach Barry Trotzs unhappiness over blown leads and a suddenly porous defence.The Capitals couldnt have found a better way to end the skid, a 4-0 win over Sidney Crosby and the rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. Defensive discipline was back, and there was no sitting on the lead.We were just relying on our skill a little bit too much the last couple of games, forward Eric Fehr said.No one expected smooth sailing from the get-go as the franchise adjusted to Trotz in his first season in D.C., but its now 48 games into the 82-game season — time to start figuring out where the Capitals are headed. Up to now, theyve been essentially a .500 team (25 wins, 23 losses) that relied heavily on goaltender Braden Holtby (franchise-record 27 consecutive games) and found maddening ways to give up standings points — as they did in recent losses to struggling Edmonton and Columbus.Wednesdays win put the Capitals into sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Thats hardly the most secure position, given they finished ninth a year ago — missing the playoffs by one spot.Its one of those things we seem to play well against really good teams, Holtby said. We have to find a way to make sure we play that way against everyone.For much of the last decade, the Capitals have never been short on talent — its been intangibles such as leadership, chemistry and coaching that have kept the team from making a serious Stanley Cup run. Trotz has been emphasizing that the best players need to play like the best players.Which means it comes back, as it always does, to Ovechkin, whose 51-goal campaign in 2013-14 was marred by a minus-35 plus-minus rating. This season Ovechkin is plus-12, and his pair of goals against the Penguins gave him 29, moving him ahead of Rick Nash and Tyler Seguin entering Thursdays games.When Alex is determined, the way he is lately, I think he just creates so much good offence, Trotz said. Hes dangerous every night. You look at the stat sheet, whether he scores or not, hes got 10 shots. Theres guys in the league who go a month without 10 shots sometimes.After a win, the player who was previously awarded the Lincoln garb has the honour of deciding who gets it next. Trotz said former winner Jason Chimera chose some insightful words when picking Ovechkin after the Penguins victory:Leaders lead. And he led today.___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP Austin Bryant Youth Jersey . Canada Day is here and with it comes Free Agent Frenzy as the NHLs 30 teams storm out of the gate for signing season. Jahlani Tavai Lions Jersey . On the eve of the 2013-14 NBA season, he can finally take a step back and allow his team to do the talking. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com/Customized/. The three goals bring Messis career tally for Barcelona to 371 in all games -- including friendlies -- breaking the club record of 369 held by Paulino Alcantara since 1927. The 26-year-old Messi was already the clubs all-time leading scorer in official games. Messi assured Barcelonas fans they will enjoy his goals for years to come, saying "as long as people want me, I will stay here. T.J. Hockenson Jersey . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Barry Sanders Womens Jersey .4 seconds left and dribbled up court, weaving through Pitts defence.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Lonnie Chisenhall is enjoying a big weekend in Texas, and Cleveland can finally celebrate back-to-back wins on the road. Chisenhall had two hits and scored twice and Indians starter Justin Masterson picked up his first road victory of the season, 3-2 over the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Starting at third base for the second straight game after five consecutive starts at first, Chisenhall singled and scored in the fifth and sixth innings. With five hits in the series, including a three-run homer off Texas ace Yu Darvish in the opener, Chisenhall has raised his average to .365, highest in the majors among players with at least 150 plate appearances. The four-game set wraps up Monday. "Hes been a big part of about everything weve done," manager Terry Francona said. "Hes been in the middle of it seems like all our rallies." Adrian Beltre and Alex Rios had two hits each for the injury-riddled Rangers, who learned before the game they will be without first baseman Mitch Moreland for three months. Moreland needs surgery on his ailing left ankle. "It is tough," Rios said. "But the only way you can see it is to keep going. If you quit, its going to be a long season." The Indians, who started the series with the worst road record in baseball, won consecutive games away from home for the first time this season. "Were playing better defence, were pitching better," Chisenhall said. "Our situational hitting is way better than it was. Were not leaving guys on base." Masterson (4-4) gave up five hits and two runs in 5 2-3 innings after throwing seven shutout innings against Boston at home in his last start. Bryan Shaw pitched two scoreless innings, and Cody Allen struck out two in a perfect ninth for his sixth save. Left-hander Joe Saunders (0-2) is winless in four starts for Texas after allowing seven hits and three runs -- two earned -- with four walks in 5 1-3 innings. The Rangers got within a run in the sixth when Beltre doubled and Rios followed with a triple. Massterson kept the Indians in front by getting Chris Gimenez on a weak grounder to first, and reliever Marc Rzepczynski ended the threat with a groundout from Leonys Martin.dddddddddddd Masterson was 0-3 with a 5.73 ERA on the road coming in and hadnt won away from home since last Aug. 21 at the Los Angeles Angels. "Building off what we did last time, we made some good adjustments in between from my last start and wanted to continue those," Masterson said. "Its helped the effort level be good, to be more under control, to throw more strikes." Rios reached base for the third time on a walk in the eighth and was called safe on a steal attempt. The Indians won a replay challenge of Lance Barksdales call, ending the inning. The Rangers started the day with a majors-leading 12 players on the disabled list before finding out about Morelands upcoming surgery on an ankle thats been bothering him all season. Moreland was the replacement for Prince Fielder, whos out for the year after neck surgery. Texas couldnt even get Moreland to the DL before rookie Rougned Odor sprained his right shoulder diving headfirst back to first base on a pickoff throw by Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes. Odour, who was tagged out, will be re-evaluated Monday. "I dont want to seem like I dont care," manager Ron Washington said. "Ive got to focus on the games that were playing right now with the personnel I have right now. Weve been playing competitive and thats what weve got to continue to do." NOTES: David Murphy had two hits and a sacrifice fly to continue a strong weekend in his return to Texas after spending six-plus seasons with the Rangers. He has five hits with Mondays finale in the four-game set remaining. ... Elvis Andrus was 0 for 4 to snap a 39-game hitting streak against Cleveland. It was the second-longest streak against one team in the majors going back to 1914, according to STATS. ... Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo missed the game to attend his son Camerons graduation at the University of Washington. ' ' '