Moving swiftly to give Alex Ovechkin help at the defensive end while raiding a rival, new Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan signed Pittsburgh Penguins free agents Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik on Tuesday to deals totalling more than $65 million. Junior Bridgeman Jersey . The 27-year-old Niskanen, the more offensive-minded of the pair of defencemen joining the Capitals, got a $40.25 million, seven-year contract. "Its a very big commitment from Washington. Thats no small thing. Youre talking a seven-year commitment for a very substantial amount of money," said Niskanen, who got married Saturday. "Im excited for that challenge." The 33-year-old Orpik, more of a stay-at-home blueliner who had spent his entire career with the Penguins, was given a $27.5 million, five-year package. "Ive got to be honest: Up until this year, I never really envisioned myself leaving Pittsburgh. As everyone knows, theres been a lot of changes there. It really was a perfect time," Orpik said. "The past year, there was such strong expectations for the team, both internally and externally, and I think we had a really tough time handling those expectations." The Capitals got off to a fast start on the first day of NHL free agency, also adding Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Justin Peters on a $1.9 million, two-year deal, while re-signing centre Michael Latta to a $1.15 million, two-year contract. Last season, three-time NHL MVP Ovechkin and the Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years, leading ownership to make changes. George McPhees contract was not renewed after he spent 17 seasons as the teams GM, while Adam Oates was fired with a year left on his three-season deal. MacLellan was promoted from assistant general manager to replace McPhee, while Barry Trotz was hired as the new coach. Washington also has added assistant coach Todd Reirden, who was hired by the Capitals after the Penguins fired him last week. "Hes been huge," Niskanen said. "Todd helps young defencemen get better." And in one more Penguins-to-Capitals transaction Tuesday, Washington signed right wing Chris Conner to a one-year, two-way contract. He has 22 goals and 28 assists in 178 NHL games, including 19 with Pittsburgh last season. As for all those people moving from Pittsburgh — which also recently changed its GM and coach — to Washington, Niskanen said: "It would seem odd, wouldnt it? But its professional sports. ... If the Caps call, youve got to listen." Speaking about the Capitals, Orpik said: "Ive played against that group enough to know what the potential of that group can be. ... I think they needed some direction, and I think Barry will provide that." Niskanen, 27, led NHL defencemen with a plus-33 rating last season, when he set career highs with 10 goals and 36 assists. The 6-foot, 209-pound defenceman has 35 goals, 132 assists and 266 penalty minutes in 491 career NHL games for Pittsburgh and Dallas. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Orpik has 13 goals, 119 assists and 734 penalty minutes in 703 career games. He is a two-time U.S. Olympian and was an alternate captain for the Penguins since 2008. The 27-year-old Peters went 7-9-4 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage for the Carolina Hurricanes last season. "When the head coach on the team looks you in the eye and tell you he wants you to be there, that goes a long way," Peters said. He said that he wasnt told how hell be used with the Capitals — strictly as a No. 2 behind Braden Holtby, or splitting time in the top goalie spot — but added that he thinks it will "work itself out." ___ AP Sports Writer Joseph White contributed to this report. Robin Lopez Jersey . Span, Danny Espinosa and Adam LaRoche had two hits apiece as Washington won the final two games of the series. The Nationals improved to 3-7 against Atlanta. They increased their division lead over the Braves to 1 1/2 games. Vin Baker Jersey . Anything less than gold for either nation is considered a disappointment. Yet for Switzerland, advancing to the semifinal might be a victory in itself. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/1106t-frank-mason-iii-jersey-bucks.html . Yup, he definitely needed this one. Craig homered twice and had three RBIs Wednesday night to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Craig went 4 for 5 and Yadier Molina added three hits for the Cardinals, who salvaged the final game of a three-game set in hopes of staying within shouting distance of front-running Milwaukee in the NL Central. LAS VEGAS -- Brad Keselowski once blew a tire while leading the final lap of this same Nationwide Series race, so he knew he couldnt get excited about a victory in Vegas until he actually crossed the line. He finally got there Saturday after overcoming electrical problems, traffic and Kyle Busch for an uncommonly satisfying victory. Keselowski held off Busch in the final laps to win the Nationwide race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first time. Keselowski earned his 28th career Nationwide win on his 20th track, doing it in his eighth try in Vegas -- where he infamously blew a tire on the final lap in 2011, handing a win to Mark Martin. The 2012 Sprint Cup champion finally cracked this track despite a remarkable series of setbacks and challenges that left Keselowski more relieved than excited. "We found every way we could to make it hard," Keselowski said. "This Ford was flying today. These races arent getting any easier to win. I drove as hard as I could, every lap." Keselowski has been in contention in the Nationwide race in Las Vegas several times over his previous seven starts, but managed just two top-10 finishes after repeated trouble. He found enormous trouble in this one, but still led 144 of the 200 laps. He had led 106 of the first 139 laps before a sluggish green-flag pit stop allowed Busch to move in front. Keselowski also lost three spots early after sliding through his pit box, and he later lost power because of a faulty alternator, forcing him to turn off equipment. "It was systematic alternator failure," crew chief Jeremy Bullins said. "At that point, you go into safe mode, shut off eveerything you can, and hope the battery makes it to the end. Milwaukee Bucks Shirts. . We were losing power at the end, but we had enough to make it." Keselowski then navigated through a thicket of traffic on the final laps in an exciting finish. "I knew it was just a matter of time before (Busch) caught me," Keselowski said. "I was just trying to get through as much traffic as possible." Busch came up from a 37th-place start to finish second on his hometown track, but couldnt catch Keselowskis Penske Ford. Busch, who got sent to the back for making adjustments after qualifying, was decidedly unimpressed with his cars engine, which is from Joe Gibbs Racing, not Toyota. "Our car was super-fast on the long run," Busch said. "Best motor won today, thats for sure. Probably the best car. He was really good. Thats all we had." Kyle Larson was third despite early damage to his car, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished fourth in front of 18-year-old rookie Chase Elliott, who posted his first top-five finish. Larson managed a standout finish despite hitting the wall early in the race, while Elliott also gave an impressive performance. The races most eye-catching move was made by Matt Kenseth, who was racing three wide with Busch and Keselowski when he spun on the final turn on the 159th lap, turning sideways into the straightaway. Kenseth incredibly managed to save it without crashing, while Elliott also narrowly avoided running straight into Kenseths perpendicular car. Regan Smith leads Trevor Bayne atop the Nationwide points standings through three races, with Elliott Sadler in third and Ty Dillon fourth. ' ' '