Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine (4) and Ottawa Senators right wing Jonathan Cheechoo (41) fall during the second period of their NHL hockey game at the Verizon Center in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Capitals left defenseman John Erskine, foreground, reaches out to catch the puck during second-period NHL hockey game action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Frank Gunn)

Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine sends Ottawa Senators' Filip Kuba into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)