In DC, Isabelle Khurshudyan cited a source as saying that the Capitals remain "in talks with the White House about a possible date to visit," but time is "running out." The regular-season finale is April 6, which serves as the "unofficial deadline." If a date for a visit can be agreed upon, it "probably will be at the end of this month," possibly during the Capitals' four-game homestand March 20-26 (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/7).
AGGRESSIVE STRATEGY: USA TODAY's Kevin Allen noted the Blue Jackets' moves at the trade deadline mean they are "committed to the notion that winning today matters more than what may happen tomorrow." That is "considered a daring approach in today's NHL when fan bases seem to find as much joy in chasing the No. 1 draft pick as qualifying for the postseason," which is why it was "refreshing to see" the Blue Jackets' moves last month. Allen: "Regardless if they make the playoffs, they should be applauded for their unflinching effort" (USATODAY.com, 3/7).
BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL? In Chicago, Phil Thompson noted Blackhawks analysts Patrick Sharp and Adam Burish have recreated a "campy-but-beloved Eagle Insurance commercial" from the '90s in order to sell tickets to the team's fan convention in July. The original ad shows two women in a car when giant costumed bird "perches on the roof." The two women "exchange painfully stilted lines about not having insurance before Eagleman creepily advises, 'I've got something for you,' and lays a giant egg." In the Blackhawks' version produced by Banner Collective, Chicago, Sharp and Burish play the roles of the two women and "mascot Tommy Hawk does his best Eagleman impression" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 3/7).
