By Alex

If I was a writer left to choose an assignment for a fancy sports magazine (the type that serves flavored bagels and beer), I would want to have a look at what’s going on in Washington with the Capitals. If that gig was not available, the revival of the Chicago Blackhawks after years of wallowing within a wobbly existence is not a bad second choice.

But the Caps thing is especially interesting. Washington is Redskins territory. It’s winning territory.

The city has indeed seen some championship teams. The ‘Skins have won three Super Bowl and two NFL titles, the Bullets one NBA title and the Senators won one World Series way back in 1924. Hey, at least it led to a broadway musical - Damn Yankees.

Now, the city hangs its contemporary hopes on the legendary Redskins, Wizards, Nationals and Capitals. You gotta believe. Up to a point. I think they’ve given up on the Generals.

While politics in Washington is witnessing something different in President Obama, hockey in the city is connecting to a legend in the making: Alexander Ovechkin.

Along with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Ovechkin gives the NHL a fantastically bright future. While NBA fans and pundits continue to hark back to the 1980s with Bird and Magic and Jordan in the 1990s, the NHL consistently manages to be blessed with stars to carry the game.

Ovechkin is a special player. I don’t know the guy (his interviews don’t help), but he clearly is a team player. One can see this when he celebrates goals from team mates as if it were his own. His panache, skills and enthusiasm for the game is contagious to not only his team but fans around the league.

In Ovechkin, the Capitals have a player who possesses a stellar character and strong leadership abilities. It’s no wonder the talk around Capville is Stanley Cup.

If they can get a proven goalie or consistent or strong goal tending from the tandem of Brent Johnson and Jose Theodore, I don’t blame them for thinking cup.

It may now be closer than ever.