Washington Capitals Daily Report (10-17-15)

Nicky B at practice this a.m. (Photo: @bamitsbrittney93)

The Capitals returned to practice at Kettler this morning (Saturday) following a day off yesterday. All players were in attendance, including Nicklas Backstrom, who will return to the lineup tonight.

(photo: @bamitsbrittney93)

Morning Skate
Practice lines this morning featured the return of Nicklas Backstrom at Second line center. Backstrom confirmed after the morning skate that he would be in the lineup tonight. Backstrom said the decision for him to play tonight was made a couple of days ago. Andre Burakovsky practiced in a white (bottom six) jersey. It looks like Andre Burakovsky will be moved from the second line center position to the fourth line wing position. A perfect quote from Backstrom: “I feel like I’ve been trying my best to get back as fast as possible with no rush.” “It’s like he’s got people on puppet strings out there,” said the always eloquent Justin Williams of Backstrom.

Offensive Lines
8-92-77
90-19-14
25-83-43
21-18-65

Defensive Pairs
44-74
27-2
4-9

Scratches for tonight’s game are Stanislav Galiev, Nate Schmidt and Michael Latta. Braden Holtby will get the start in net. Trotz said he liked the play of 3rd liners Jay Beagle, Jason Chimera and Tom Wilson and didn’t want to break them up.

Hurricanes @ Capitals
The Capitals will conclude their four-game home stand tonight as they play host to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes (1-3-0) will be playing their second of back-to-back games, after beating the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 last night in Detroit. The Capitals (2-1-0) projected lines for the game:

News and Notes
The Capitals will head to Calgary for a west coast swing, beginning with the Flames on Tuesday.

Tickets for tonights game

Ticket Trends
At 12:30 p.m. approximately 339 tickets remained on Stubhub for tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Current prices range from $35 for upper level seats to $375 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.

Latest Stories
Nicklas Backstrom to make season debut against Carolina (WaPo)
After missing practice, Alex Ovechkin looks on as Caps flail against Sharks (WaPo)
Nicklas Backstrom cleared for contact (WaPo)
Emerging Hockey Stats Community Shares Findings at RITHAC (Today’s Slapshot)
Offseason departures leave Capitals short on steady right-handers for faceoffs (WaPo)
Capitals D-man Orlov back in NHL after 18 months (NHL.com)
Caps Bottom Six Offers Versatility, More. (Dump ‘N Chase)
Brian MacLellan planned for free agency, and then delivered (WaPo)
Sean Collins made the Capitals by being like ‘one of those useful pickup trucks’ (WaPo)
Caps Defensemen 2015-2016 (Dump ‘N Chase)
2015-16 NHL Projected Standings: As Blackhawks step back, door opens for challengers
With history of slow starts, Capitals now brace for a long break (WaPo)
This season really won’t be Evgeny Kuznetsov’s first rodeo (WaPo)
Private museum lets Mitch Korn relive every moment of his hockey career (WaPo)