The Capitals were back on the ice at Kettler this morning, following a day off on Wednesday. The Capitals head to New Jersey this afternoon in advance of their tilt against the Devils on Friday night at Prudential Center. Puck-drop is 7:00 PM.
Morning Skate
John Carlson returned to practice with the team this morning and will travel with the team to New Jersey. T.J. Oshie missed morning skate due to illness. The practice lines, without Oshie:
Offensive Lines:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Williams
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Burakovsky
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson
Galiev-Richards-Winnik
Defensive Pairs:
Alzner-Niskanen
Orpik-Orlov
Schmidt-Carlson
Weber-Chorney
Matt Niskanen was still at the helm of the second power play unit. John Carlson led the second power play unit.
John Carlson here at #Caps practice. @ChuckGormleyCSN and I will talk defensive pairings with #74 nearing return. pic.twitter.com/nC3ObuT7B6
— Sebastian Salazar (@SebiSalazarCSN) March 24, 2016
OK turnout for practice this am. @washcaps #caps #kettlericerink pic.twitter.com/1GgZm4J1KS
— Larry Johnson (@worm5406) March 24, 2016
News and Notes
- Barry Trotz stated after practice that he does not think T.J. Oshie will make the trip to New Jersey.
- According to CSN’s Chuck Gormley, John Carslon will return to the lineup tomorrow night in New Jersey.
- Braden Holtby is 13-0-0 following a Capitals loss.
- Holtby has had 10 starts in ’15-16 in which he’s been pulled and/or has allowed 4+ goals. He’s 10-0/.930/2.06 in the 10 starts after those. (Mike Vogel)
- The Capitals sit one win shy of breaking the franchise record for road wins in a season.
- Karl Alzner will play in his 500th NHL game tomorrow in New Jersey.
- Washington is 3-0-0 against New Jersey this season and has won six consecutive games against the Devils.
- Latest NHL power rankings here:
- Jake Allen has been named the starting goaltender for the St. Louis Blues on Saturday against the Caps. The Blues also play on Friday night.
- In case you missed it, John Walton’s clinching call on Caps radio following the win in Ottawa on Tuesday.
- The Capitals will not hold a morning skate tomorrow in New Jersey.
- Wanna work for the Caps? The Capitals are looking for a digital media intern for this summer. You can learn more right here:
Some young #Caps fans with a great (and quick) sense of humor at prax. #Capitals #CapitalsTalk @CSNCapitals #NHL pic.twitter.com/ERFfoH4tCL
— Sebastian Salazar (@SebiSalazarCSN) March 24, 2016
Wild-Card Standings
The Capitals will face the last wild-card team in the first round of the playoffs. If the playoffs started today, the Caps would face Philadelphia.
Other Stories
Barry Trotz post-practice interview (Video) Monumental Sports.
Braden Holtby post-practice interview (Video) Monumental Sports.
Karl Alzner post-practice interview (Video) Monumental Sports
Mike Ritchie post-practice interview (Video) Monumental Sports
The Noon Number – All Present and Accounted for (Japers Rink)
Chances Are Ovechkin Needs a Shot in the Arm (Japers Rink)
Balls in the halls: NHLers warm up with other sports (Sports Illustrated)
Caps shared a GIF of Justin Williams dancing to ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ via group text (WaPo)
NHL goons are evolving … into pests. And that’s a good thing for their teams. (WaPo)
T.J. Oshie likely to miss Friday’s game with the flu (WaPo)
Capitals may be the unhappiest division winner in recent memory (WaPo)
Richards quietly having an impact on Capitals (CSNMA)
Capitals have a little fun with March Madness (WaPo)
A Caps fan’s guide to passing the time before the playoffs start (WaPo)
Capitals’ Tom Wilson has lasting friendship with young fan that was in a coma (USA Today)
