Alzner: I'd sit out rest of playoffs if we can win Stanley Cup

True dedication.

Washington Capitals blue-liner Karl Alzner is frustrated by an upper-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup since Game 3 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, but admits it's a price he's willing to pay.

"I hate watching games. Ask (healthy scratch) Taylor Chorney," Alzner told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "We're just losing it up here. It's tough to be a spectator, but at the same time it doesn't really matter if we're winning games. I'd sit out the rest of the playoffs if we can win the Cup. That's fine with me."

The Capitals were even in their opening-round series with him in the lineup, splitting their first two contests against the Maple Leafs. Washington won three of the next four to eliminate the Maple Leafs, and now face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round.

Blue-liner Nate Schmidt has drawn into the lineup in the absence of Alzner, recording two points in four games.

The Capitals are aiming to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history after earning their second straight Presidents' Trophy with a league-best 118 points.