The Caps are finishing up the morning skate here at Philips Arena. The big news of the morning is that Tomas Fleischmann has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Caps through the 2009-2010 season. The deal is for $1.45 million, or $725,000/year, according to a source.

Fleischmann, who will turn 24 in May, has five goals and 21 points this season. He did not have a contract during training camp after his entry-level deal expired at the end of last season, but the Caps inked him to a one-year, $495,000 deal before the season started.

Olie Kolzig will be in net tonight and John Erskine will replace Steve Eminger in the active lineup. Quintin Laing will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. The lines will remain the same as Sunday's game:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Fleischmann-Gordon-Semin
Brashear-Steckel-Bradley
Pettinger-Laich-Fehr

Morrisonn-Green
Poti-Jurcina
Schultz-Erskine

Of course, Bruce Boudreau said the lines are subject to change, and it won't be a surprise if Laich and Gordon continue to yo-yo back and forth between their two lines.

UPDATE: Here are some quotes about Fleischmann's contract:

TOMAS FLEISCHMANN
"It is really better than last year. I did not have a contract and it was a tough summer, so I did not want to do the same thing this year.

"It is really good news. I am really happy about it. Now I can start just thinking about hockey and becoming a better hockey player. I really like this group and the guys. It is no secret I like the coach too. With this team, I can feel like something is going on and I want to be part of that.

"Every year I am getting better. I feel like every game I am becoming a better player and I think next year and the year after I can be really, really good. That is what I feel like it was the farm team. I played in Portland [in 2004-05] and it was a similar season like I have had this year. I hope [next year] it is going to be like the next year with the farm team [in Hershey] when we finished in the finals."

GEORGE MCPHEE
"They wanted to do a deal so we did a deal.

"He did make the team [in camp], and he's played fine. He is going to be a good player in this league and he is developing at the right pace.

"The fact that he did not have a contract coming into camp did not mean we were not high on him and did not expect him to be here a long time. We had a lot of people under contract at that time and we did not want to get caught with having too many guys under contract.

"Flash is a good player. He was a good player in Hershey and won a championship and scored a lot, and he will be able to do the same thing at this level. I know if we hadn't signed him someone else would have."

BRUCE BOUDREAU
"I have a lot of faith in him. He can make plays. You can't find enough truly skilled players. I think he'll be a little stronger next year. He sees the ice so well. Sometimes he tries to be cute and still thinks he can get away with it and he can't, but eventually he will learn it. When he starts getting away with these plays a little quicker his goal totals are going to jump up and his assist totals are going to jump up.

"His first year with me [he weighed] 170. This year he is 180. I would think he could be at 187 or 190 next year. If he can keep the same speed -- and I do not think that will affect his mindset -- I think it will only benefit him.

"I think we would like to see him go to the net more, but we talk to all of our forwards about going to the net more rather than making the plays on the perimeter. I think he will because he listens and once he has a little bit if success with that he will realize, Hey, this is the place I have got to be.

"We watch all the games and how many games have we said, 'How did he miss that? Or, what a great setup.' Those plays are not clicking to him right now, but I believe in the future they will. There is no reason with his numbers today that he could not have 35 points with the chances he has created or had himself."