Washington Capitals Daily Report – 2/23

Photo: @washcaps

The Washington Capitals returned to practice this morning at Kettler, following their 3-2 over the Arizona Coyotes at Verizon Center. The Capitals will host the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday night at Verizon Center. Puck-drop is 7:00 PM.

Morning Skate:
Marcus Johansson missed today’s morning skate (illness). Jay Beagle practiced without a non-contact jersey for the first time today. Beagle centered the 4th line during line rushes with Brooks Laich and a rotating Latta/Galiev. Practice lines at morning skate:

Offensive Lines:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wiliams
Burakovsky-Backstrom-Oshie
Chimera-Richards-Wilson
Laich-Beagle-Latta/Galiev

Defensive Pairs:
Schmidt-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Orpik-Orlov

News and Notes

As per Isabelle Khurshudyan, Trotz said Jay Beagle will travel to Chicago on Sunday. Could be playing by then.
As per Isabelle Khurshudyan, Trotz said Caps will try to do something at trade deadline. Nothing drastic. Scott Gomez is on the radar. He’s on a PTO with Hershey. Not on contract with Caps. They could sign him, or another team could. Scott Gomez is on a 25-game PTO with Hershey, so if the Caps don’t sign him, another team could.
As per Chuck Gormley, Barry Trotz on managing Braden Holtby’s workload: ‘He’s actually begging that he plays every game right now
As per Chuck Gormley, Trotz on where he’d like to see Caps add at trade deadline: Depth. A specialist of some sort. PK, Faceoff.
As per Chuck Gormley, Barry Trotz raved about Stan Galiev’s sunny outlook despite healthy scratches, adding ‘that’s why he’s not going anywhere.’
The Capitals have won 44 of their first 58 games. They are the 1st team in NHL history to do so.
Evgeny Kuznetsov and Michael Latta will be signing at collectable Heroes at Fair Oaks Mall, tonight from 6-8.
The Capitals will celebrate their 300th consecutive sell-out tomorrow night when they host the Montreal Canadiens.