Photo: @TomSportsUSA9
The Washington Capitals returned to practice this morning at Kettler, following a day-off on Monday.
Morning Skate
All players were present at practice this morning, including Jay Beagle who returned after sitting out the season finale on Sunday due to a lower body injury. Practice lines at morning skate:
Offensive Lines
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Kuznetsov-Wiliams
Chimera-Richards-Johansson
Winnik-Beagle-Wilson
Defensive Pairs
Alzner-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Schmidt
Weber-Chorney
Today’s practice lines were the same lines as those that started the St. Louis game. Many had surmised that the Blues game was a “dress rehearsal” for the playoffs, so it’s highly likely that the starting lines on Thursday will be very similar, if not exactly as noted above.
The stage is set. Photo: @WaltonCaps
The Capitals will hold practice tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10:30 AM, and will hold morning skate the day of the first game at 10:15 AM. As expected, media coverage has intensified this week.
“Most fun time, most emotional for coaches, players and the fans”- Barry Trotz as #Caps open up playoff season pic.twitter.com/h2Xiiz7tTB
— Carol Maloney (@carolmaloney4) April 12, 2016
Trotz: At the end of the day, there’s going to be 1 happy team and 29 unhappy teams #StanleyCupPlayoffs#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/LvA2O5rm90
— Alex Parker (@ParkerSports) April 12, 2016
The team broke out new shirts today for the players and staff. This post-season’s motto: “Entitled to Nothing”
New Capitals equipment staff shirts for the playoffs. Photo: @DCKerNBC4
Ovi with some late practice shots on goal here at Kettler. #CapsFlyers#RockTheRed#StanleyCupPlayoffspic.twitter.com/g9vajR2JHf
— Alex Parker (@ParkerSports) April 12, 2016
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News and Notes
Capitals
- Barry Trotz stated this morning that he doesn’t know if he’s ever had a team as healthy going into playoffs as the Caps this year.
- The Caps are first team since the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens to go an entire regular season without suffering consecutive regulation losses.
- The Caps are the only team in the NHL to have a winning record when down after the 1st period. (12-9-4). Only 1 team in the past 28 yrs has had a better record when scoring first than the Capitals 34-2-2. (The 2013 Blackhawks, who won the Cup).
- Alex Ovechkin is the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in three consecutive seasons twice (2007-10, 2013-16).
- Alex Ovechkin sits 3 points shy of passing Dale Hunter for 1st place on the Capitals playoff points list.
- Pre-practice video made for players made hair on arms stand on end says #Caps Barry Trotz but he wants to keep it in house and personal (@DCkerNBC4)
Flyers:
- Everyone accounted for on the ice for the Flyers, except for Shayne Gostisbehere. Reports are that it was a “maintenance day” for Gostisbehere.
General
- Twelve Players have been Added to 2016 U.S. Men’s National Team. You can view the latest roster here:
Other Stories
Braden Holtby has his game in tune (SI)
Capitals tip off defensive pairs vs. Flyers (CSNMA)
Capitals Today (04/12/16) (Monumental Sports)
Caps Need All-Star Playoff Production From Their All-Star Center (Japers’ Rink)
Alex Ovechkin post-practice interview (Video) (04/12/16) (Monumental Sports)
Jason Chimera post-practice interview (Video) (04/12/16) (Monumental Sports)
Jay Beagle post-practice interview (Video) (04/12/16) (Monumental Sports)
This is what the Caps group-text each other all day long (WaPo)
In Justin Williams, Capitals got the leader they needed — and a class clown (WaPo)
Caps’ Iron Maiden-inspired playoff shirts include ‘Entitled to Nothing’ slogan (WaPo)
The Capitals are more hybrid than ‘heavy’ heading into postseason (WaPo)
Jay Beagle practices fully with the Capitals (WaPo)
