The Capitals take on Joel Ward and the San Jose Sharks tonight at Verizon Center. Alex Ovechkin was not at morning skate this morning. Trotz said Ovechkin was not at morning skate for personal reasons, and that he will be a game-time decision.
Sharks at Capitals
The Washington Capitals face a good early-season test Tuesday night when Joel Ward and the San Jose Sharks come to town. The Sharks (2-0-0) under new Head Coach Peter DaBoer, enter the game atop the Pacific Division standings.
The teams traded wins in each others buildings last season. The Sharks won 6-5 in a shootout at Verizon Center last October 14th. The Capitals returned the favor with a 5-4 overtime victory in San Jose on February 11th. The game winner was scored by Joel Ward.
Check out NoVa Caps game preview right here.
Morning Skate
Stanislav Galiev took Ovechkin’s place on the top line in today’s morning skate. Galiev also lead the final stretches at the end of practice. Trotz said Galiev would not stay with the first line if Ovechkin doesn’t play. Would move some things around. Practice lines for morning skate:
Galiev-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Burakovsky-Williams
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson
Laich-Latta-Collins
Orpik-Carlson
Niskanen-Alzner
Schmidt-Orlov
Taylor Chorney is a healthy scratch for tonight’s game.
Braden Holtby was the first goalie off the ice this morning, indicating he will get the start in net tonight.
News and Notes
Capitals defenseman John Carlson is scheduled to play in his 400th NHL/Capitals game tonight against San Jose. Carlson will become the 13th defenseman in franchise history to play 400 games for Washington.
A side note, the Caps are the last team in the NHL to play their second game of the season.
For the latest schedule for Capitals practices and other Capitals events and functions, please check Caps Today.
Ticket Trends
At 11:00 a.m. this morning, approximately 732 tickets remained on Stubhub for Tuesday night’s game against the Sharks. Current prices range from $16 for upper level seats to $300 for VIP glass seats in section 112 (Row A).
Tickets on the Washington Capitals official ticket exchange range from $14 for upper level to $422 for Section 107, Row D.
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THIS DAILY REPORT IS UPDATED IN REAL-TIME, AS NEWS AND OTHER NOTES EMERGE, UNTIL 5 PM EACH DAY. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.