Washington Capitals Daily Report (10-02-15)

(Photo: @bamitsbrittney93)

The Washington Capitals returned to practice this morning (Friday) following the day off yesterday. The team continued training camp work as well as conducted preparations for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins at Verizon Center.

Bruins @ Capitals
Tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins will be televised on CSN (and the NHL Network outside the DC area). The game will once again include a 3-on-3 overtime period, regardless of the score at the end of regulation. The Capitals will wrap up the preseason this Sunday against the New York Islanders at Verizon Center. The rosters for tonight’s game:

Burakovsky, Chimera, Galiev, Collins, Stanton, Peters, Orpik (wrist), Backstrom (hip) are your scratches for tonight.

Morning Skate
The practice lines for this mornings skate:

Offensive Lines
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Oshie,
Johansson-Roy-Williams,
Laich-Beagle-Wilson,
O’Brien-Stephenson-Latta

Defensive Lines
Alzner-Orlov,
Schmidt-Carlson,
Chorney-Ness

Roster Management
The Capitals have released Connor Carrick and Zach Sill from their training camp roster. Updated roster can be viewed here: The Capitals roster now sits at 28 and will need to be reduced to 23 by this Tues, October 6th.

Nicklas Backstrm back at it. (Photo: @bamitsbrittney93)

Injury Updates
As mentioned yesterday, Coach Trotz confirmed that Nicklas Backstrom would not be ready for opening night next Saturday, and would likely miss the first few games.

As per Isabelle Khurshudyan, Brooks Orpik (wrist) practiced with the team today. Brooks Orpik said he doesn’t know what the timetable for his return is. Said he doesn’t know if he’ll be ready for opening night yet.

News and Notes
Matt Niskanen did not skate today. Trotz expected to address why. Matt’s wife is expecting any day now, so the belief is that his absence is related to their expected child.

Expect to see Jay Beagle at third-line center on opening night.

As per Alex Prewitt, another audition night for Roy and Stephenson. Trotz said Roy centers Johansson/Williams for about half the game, Stephenson gets the rest.

Update from the Den
For an update on camp activites and news from the Hershey Bears Camp, check out “Stucc’s Glove and Blogger” here.

Latest Stories
Capitals preparing for Nicklas Backstrom to miss start of season (WaPo)
Private museum lets Mitch Korn relive every moment of his hockey career (WaPo)
Capitals cut five rookies from training camp, send them to Hershey (WaPo)
On same page as Barry Trotz, Capitals’ Jason Chimera ready to write next chapter (WaPo)
Johansson, Latta skate, but won’t play Monday because of injuries (WaPo)
Andi Lambert, wife of Capitals assistant Lane Lambert, dies at 45 (WaPo)
Andre Burakovsky still adjusting to being back at center (WaPo)
Capitals trying to be more defensive in three-on-three OT (WaPo)
Hobbs back with Pats after strong NHL camp (Global News)
Can Alex Ovechkin finally ignite T.J. Oshie’s offense with Capitals? (Yahoo)
Forward Derek Roy is making himself at home on a team he hopes to join (WaPo)
Backup goaltender battle between Peters, Grubauer plays out in Boston (WaPo)
Back with the Capitals again, Chris Bourque still chasing ‘the ultimate goal’ (WaPo)
New Capital Justin Williams: ‘I’m not a savior by any means of the word’ (WaPo)
Capitals-Bruins pregame notes: Johansson sidelined with minor injury, cuts coming (WaPo)
What the Capitals learned from their first three-on-three OT experience (WaPo)