Caps name Alex Ovechkin captain

(John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

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It's official: Alex Ovechkin is the new captain of the Caps.

The two-time MVP just came out onto the ice here at Verizon Center with the captain's 'C' stitched on his jersey. He becomes the 14th captain in franchise history and replaces Chris Clark, who was traded Dec. 28.

Ovechkin takes over the team's leadership role just as Washington has hit its first significant slide of the season, losing three games in regulation for the first time since March. Will tonight's news inspire the Caps to snap out of their funk?

We're about to find out.