Photo: @washcaps
The Caps held an optional skate at 11:30 this morning at Wells Fargo Center in preparation for tonight’s Game 4 versus the Flyers. Trotz changed the practice from a typical practice to an “optional” practice this morning. The team will head home to Virginia immediately following the game. Puck-drop tonight is 7:00 PM.
MORNING SKATE:
Present at this morning’s optional skate:
Taylor Chorney
Mike Weber
Nate Schmidt
Michael Latta
Stan Galiev
Tom Wilson
Andre Burakovsky
Jay Beagle
Jason Chimera
Daniel Winnik
T.J. Oshie
Braden Holtby was on the ice for practice this morning. The Flyers have announced that they are changing goalies and will be starting Michal Neuvirth. It looks like Taylor Chorney will get the start on the back-end in place of Brooks Orpik.
Holtby said he’s good to go tonight. Chorney is in.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 20, 2016
Trotz said Orpik is “doing better.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 20, 2016
Braden Holtby taking this ice this morning, with creative touches by @DCKerNBC4:
Pretty sure #Caps fans hear this when they see this…
Holtby took part in this morning’s optional skate.#NBC4DC pic.twitter.com/JIyBPknBWI
— dckerNBC4 (@dckerNBC4) April 20, 2016
NEWS AND NOTES:
- The Capitals are 8 for 17 (47.0%) on the power play this postseason, ranking first in the NHL.
- Washington is 13 for 13 (100.0%) on the penalty kill, leading the NHL in penalty kill percentage.
- Washington scored five power-play goals in Game 3, marking the most power-play goals in a single playoff game in franchise history.
- Michael Neuvirth tasked w/ saving the Flyers season. Neuvirth had an 18-8-4 record, 2.27 GAA, .924 save % w/ 29 starts this season.
- The Capitals will be holding a viewing party tonight at Verizon Center. More information and registration here:
Caps D Mike Weber: ‘When you have a chance to close out a team in the playoffs you need to step on their throat and end it.’ #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) April 20, 2016
Justin Williams on NHL Network this morning:
#Caps forward Justin Williams joined NHL Tonight last night to talk about Round One. #CapsFlyers#RockTheRedhttps://t.co/4GEuWDSU8I
— #RockTheRed (@washcaps) April 20, 2016
Group hug after practice this morning:
Tight group for optional skate this morning #RockTheRed#GameFourpic.twitter.com/MXOtg91ynH
— #RockTheRed (@washcaps) April 20, 2016
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Are you ready?!
Let’s end this TONIGHT!
Game 4 #CapsFlyers coverage begins at 6 ET on CSN. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/6tQgF1kXXa
— CSN Capitals (@CSNCapitals) April 20, 2016
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RINK LINKS:
Caps aim to close out Flyers on Wednesday (Mike Vogel)
Two-man advantage (Video) (Mike Vogel and John Walton)
The Narrative: Special Edition: Neuvirth to Start (Japers’ Rink)
Chimera: ‘That 4th game is always the hardest one to get’ (Video) (CSNMA)
Trotz says Philly fans’ behavior ‘uncalled for’ (Video) (CSNMA)
Braden Holtby pre-game media session (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Caps play-by-play man Joe Beninati has a voice for hockey and an eye for style (WaPo)
Brooks Orpik is out for Game 4 vs. Flyers but coach says he’s ‘doing better’ (WaPo)
Capitals looking to finish sweep of Flyers in Game 4 (WaPo)
Taylor Chorney gets nod on blue line for Game 4 (WaPo)
The Jay Beagle milestone the Capitals didn’t know about (WaPo)
