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. 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. Robert Griffin III Ravens Jersey . 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Mark Andrews Ravens Jersey . -- Michael Bennett gambled last off-season that playing on a one-year deal in Seattle would pay off in the future with the long-term contract he always wanted. LOS ANGELES -- The carousel in the Los Angeles Dodgers crowded outfield keeps spinning, and centre fielder Andre Ethier wont be getting off anytime soon with the way he is swinging the bat and playing defence -- especially after left fielder Carl Crawford sprained his ankle. Ethier drove in the Dodgers first four runs with a homer and a bases-loaded triple, and Zack Greinke tied a season high with 11 strikeouts in a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. But the jubilation in the clubhouse was subdued after Crawford left the game in the eighth inning with a sprained left ankle. He injured himself chasing down pinch-hitter Chris Heiseys leadoff double into the left field corner. Crawford said that he will have to go on the disabled list, although the club made no such announcement. Ethiers season-high four RBIs increased his total to 25, despite the outfield situation that had forced manager Don Mattingly to mix and match with Matt Kemp, Crawford, Scott Van Slyke and right fielder Yasiel Puig -- the only constant in the bunch. Puig, who came in second in the NL with a .345 average and 38 RBIs, reached base safely for the 28th straight game. "Its uncomfortable, and its a tough spot to be in," Ethier said. "I guess this is a situation where too much of a good thing is not necessarily good. But youve got to commend everyone for being professional and handling it as well as they can." Kemp was not in the starting lineup for the fifth straight game -- his longest such stretch without an injury since he became a regular in 2008. Mattingly and his staff are waiting for the two-time Gold Glove centre fielder to become comfortable enough in left field to play there on a regular basis alongside Ethier. Kemp pinch-hit in the eighth and struck out. "I just keep telling Matt: Lets go. Keep it going. Youre going to be needed, so just be ready for your opportunity," said Ethier, Kemps teammate since 2006. Greinke (8-1) allowed three runs, eight hits and no walks in 7 2-3 innings. The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner was lifted after giving up a two-run homer by Devin Mesoraco on his 104th pitch -- ending Greinkes streak of 22 consecutive starts in which he had alllowed fewer than three earned runs.dddddddddddd It was the longest such streak since the dead-ball era. Kenley Jansen followed J.P. Howell out of the bullpen and pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save. Alfredo Simon (6-3) threw 70 pitches in 3 2-3 innings, giving up five runs, five hits and four walks after going 5-0 with a 1.05 ERA in his first five road starts. The right-hander was the first Reds pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to win his first five road starts of a season while allowing no more than five hits in any of them. Simon retired his first two batters in the second before Ethier drove the next pitch to right-centre for his third home run of the season. It ended a drought of 83 at-bats since his previous long ball, a three-run shot against Arizonas Mike Bolsinger on April 19 at Dodger Stadium. Ethier came up in the fourth with three men on after a one-out intentional walk to Adrian Gonzalez, and lined a 2-1 pitch into the right field corner for his first triple of the year. Chone Figgins, starting at third base for the injured Juan Uribe, capped the rally with an RBI single to make it 5-0. "Alfredos strength really so far, beyond having very good stuff, has been to execute quality pitches. And that got away from him a little bit in the fourth," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "With Greinke pitching, we were in a position where we couldnt give up a bulk of runs. But they had a big inning. And when Greinkes on, thats a knockout blow." Roger Bernadina drove in Cincinnatis first run with a fifth-inning single. For the first time in three games, a Dodgers starter gave up a hit before the eighth inning. Todd Frazier -- whose leadoff double in the eighth on Monday night broke up Hyun-Jin Ryus bid for a perfect game following Josh Becketts no-hitter on Sunday at Philadelphia -- singled with one out in the second. Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez was 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the cleanup spot, after missing four games because of a sore left calf. NOTES: Reds 2B Brandon Phillips, 3 for 16 lifetime against Greinke, got the night off. But he did bring Prices lineup card to home plate for the exchange with the umpires. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys Online Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Jerseys NFL Cheap Wholesale NFL Hoodies ' ' '