Andre Burakovsky leads final stretches in Denver. Photo: @washcaps
The Capitals face the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center tonight in the first game of a back-to-back set. Puck-drop is a manageable 9:00 PM EST. Following the game tonight, the Caps will travel to Arizona for their tilt against the Coyotes on Saturday night.
Morning Skate
Offensive Lines:
Ovechkin-Johansson-Oshie
Burakovsky-Kuznetsov-Williams
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson
Winnik-Richards-Galiev
Defensive Pairs:
Schmidt-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Orpik-Orlov
Nicklas Backstrom was at practice but did not take line rushes, nor particpate in the power play practice drills. Backstrom apparently suffered an “upper body” injury in the Flyers game.
Asked Trotz if Backstrom would play tomorrow. Said we’ll see tomorrow.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 1, 2016
After a.m. skate, Trotz comfirmed two things. 1) Backstrom (upper body) won’t play tonight. 2) #Caps will not rest players who aren’t hurt.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) April 1, 2016
Braden Holtby was the first goalie off the ice at practice, and will get the start in net for the Caps. Former Capitals goalie Semyon Varlomov will get the start for Colorado. The goalie match-up, provided by @washcaps:
News and Notes
- The Backstrom scratch ends a streak of 290 consecutive games played for Backstrom.
- A limited number of individual game tickets for the first three home games of the Washington Capitals 2016 Playoffs will go on sale to the public on Friday, April 1, at 11 a.m. More here: Tickets can be purchased here:
- Braden Holtby has posted a 46-10-4 record this season and is two wins shy of tying Martin Brodeur (48) for first place on the NHL’s single-season wins list.
- Jason Chimera was fined $5,000 on Thursday for his “butt-ending” to Flyers’ Shane Gostisbehere. More here:
- Caps Red Line: All-Access – Tom Wilson, Michael Latta, Jay Beagle, and Nate Schmidt went to the driving range. Video here:
- Last time the Caps were in Denver, Ovi did Ovi stuff:
Caps Fans of the Day
@hockeymominva and @DEN1StheMenace7 in Arizona, set for the Caps-Coyotes on Saturday night.
Other Stories
Caps in Colorado to Take on Avalanche (Mike Vogel)
Two-Man Advantage – Mike Vogel and John Walton (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Coach Trotz pre-game media session (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Friday six-pack: Who’s the best matchup for Caps? (CSNMA)
If You Think the Capitals Are Good… It’s Just About Time to Find Out (Japers’ Rink)
Prospect Report: Two Caps prospects reach Frozen Four (CSNMA)
Why Barry Trotz kept Dmitry Orlov in the lineup (WaPo)
As Braden Holtby approaches the single-season record, it gets harder and harder (WaPo)
Jason Chimera fined for butt-ending Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere (WaPo)
What Did the Capitals Get in Jonas Siegenthaler (Hockey Writers)
Capitals Play-off Scenarios
The Capitals clinched the 2015-16 Presidents’ Trophy with a 4-1 win against Columbus on Monday, securing the best record in hockey for the 2015-2016 season and home ice advantage for the upcoming playoffs. The Capitals will face the second Wild Card team in the opening round of the playoffs, scheduled to start on or around April 14th. If the playoffs started today the Capitals would face the Philadelphia Flyers.
