Mike Knuble is penciled into Washington's top line to start 2011-12 with Alex Ovechkin with Nicklas Backstrom. "I always think that Nicky and Alex in the end are meant for each other, so to speak," said coach Bruce Boudreau. "So that's a fit and who knows, Mike has been on that line for two years and I think he's the best early fit." Backstrom and Ovechkin played with a number of different linemates during the preseason, but there was little doubt that they would be separated for the beginning of the year.