Washington Capitals Daily Report – 3/1

Photo: @washcaps

The Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Verizon Center. Washington has won four of the last six games against the Penguins and has outscored Pittsburgh 18-9 during that span. Puck-drop is 7:30 PM EST and on NBCSN.

Morning Skate
All Caps were present at morning skate with the exception of John Carlson (Injury) and Daniel Winnik, who will arrive in DC today. Practice lines at this mornings skate:

Offensive Lines:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Kuznetsov-Williams
Chimera-Johansson-Wilson
Beagle-Richards-Galiev

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

Braden Holtby will get the start in goal for the Caps tonight against Pittsburgh. Holtby is gunning for his 40th win of the season. Philipp Grubauer will get the start tomorrow night against the Maple Leafs. As of today, Trotz stated today that Grubauer will also likely get the start on Sunday in Boston.

The Penguins played last night and as a result, did not hold a morning skate today, so their starting goalie has not been officially announced. However, it is likely backup goalie Matt Murray will get the start.

After practice, Mike Weber confirmed he would be making his first start for the Capitals tonight against Pittsburgh.

News and Notes

The Caps begin a busy stretch – four games in five nights. The Caps will also embark on their longest remaining road trip of the season, starting Sunday in Boston, before heading west for their annual west coast swing.
The Caps still are the only team in the NHL without two consecutive regulation losses this season.
Alex Ovechkin was named the NHL’s “Second Star” of for the month of February.
Head Coach Barry Trotz said that newly acquired Daniel Winnik will play in tomorrow’s game against the Maple Leafs.
Alex Ovechkin on facing Brooks Laich tomorrow night: “I’m gonna shoot him in the foot.”
Andre Burakovsky has earned 20 points in his last 20 games (1/10-2/28: 9g, 11a) and has recorded a point in 15 of his last 20 games.
Forward Caleb Herbert has been reassigned from the South Carolina Stingrays to The Hershey Bears. He has joined the team for practice today.
The Bears released Scott Gomez from PTO.
The Caps are 9/2 favorites to win the Stanley Cup, per @BovadaLV. Braden Holtby is 2/5 favorite for Vezina. He’s second for Hart Trophy with 10/3 odds.
Taylor Chorney and his wife, Haley, welcomed their son, Turner, yesterday.