2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog - Conference Semifinals

A big topic of discussion at Pittsburgh Penguins practice Tuesday was just how the Washington Capitals find ways to get Alex Ovechkin open to unleash his lethal shot – and just how legal their practices are.

Several Penguins contested the Capitals methods, claiming the team is setting illegal picks for Ovechkin.

"It seems like it's been happening a lot of late, on that 5-on-3 [in Game 1] and Ovechkin's goal last night," Penguins centre Jordan Staal said. "We've been telling the refs that it's there and it's something they have to watch for."

Added Sidney Crosby: "I know they try to do it and I think they've called it a few times [during the season]. We see a lot of video and that's obviously something they try to do and it's something the refs are aware of."

Replays did show that Alexander Semin tripped Matt Cooke as he tried to skate toward Ovechkin on his second goal - the one that put Washington in front 3-2.

"We've talked to refs," Cooke said. "I know we showed them tape.

"It's a blatant play. I'm nowhere near the puck.

"He's not allowed to touch me, not allowed to trip me. They called [Evgeni] Malkin – that was his penalty, tripping away from the puck - it's a penalty.

"You can sit there and say, 'We had 'X' amount of power plays or whatever,' but you call the game accordingly. The rules are the rules - it's not a guessing game."

Home Sweet Home?

The series shifts to Pittsburgh for Games 3 and 4, and the Penguins hope a return to Mellon Arena will help reverse their fortunes.

Washington won in both of its trips to the Steel City during the regular season, but the Penguins went undefeated at home in the playoffs last season - until dropping two games to the Detroit Red Wings at the Igloo in the Stanley Cup final.

"It's a big boost coming home," Crosby said. "We take a lot of pride in paying well here.

"You're going to see a desperate team. We want to make sure we get the next one."

Brashear Leaving?

Sport-Express, a Russian newspaper, reported Tuesday that Capitals pugilist Donald Brashear will fly to Russia next week and sign a contract for next season with Chekov of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Brashear, who is serving a six-game suspension and not eligible to return until Game 5, is an unrestricted free agent after the season.

"That's news to me," Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau said. "To me, that's a total fallacy because I haven't heard anything about it."

Brashear did not practice Tuesday with the Capitals.

A team spokesman said general manager George McPhee had no comment on the matter at this time.

Injury Updates

Neither forward Eric Fehr nor defenceman John Erskine were on the ice Tuesday for Washington's optional practice, and both remain questionable for Game 3 on Wednesday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET).

Erskine could miss his second straight game after taking a shot off his leg during Game 1, but Boudreau said he will make the trip to Pittsburgh. Either Sloan or fellow rookie Karl Alzner would play in Erskine's place.

Fehr left Game 2 in the first period after a big hit from Pittsburgh's Ruslan Fedotenko and did not return.

Boudreau said it is an injury that Fehr has dealt with before. He has missed time with shoulder and back/hip problems in the past couple of years.

If Fehr cannot play, the Capitals would either turn to Michael Nylander, who has hasn't played since Game 2 of the first round, or add a forward from the AHL Hershey Bears.

"We're going to consider all the options at this point," Boudreau said. "Mike is a good player and we have all the faith in him, if we put him in."

Pittsburgh defenceman Kris Letang left Game 2 after being crunched into the boards by Washington defenceman Mike Green.

Letang's status is uncertain for Game 3.

"He's still be evaluated," Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said. "He's much better than we initially thought.

"We thought it might not be a great injury, but he's much better right now. It's a strength issue."