Washington Capitals Daily Report – 4/30

The Capitals held their final practice this morning at Kettler to finalize preparations for Game 2. The Caps are set to host game 2 tonight at Verizon Center. Puck-drop is 8:25 PM. The Capitals will hold a morning skate on Sunday, before heading to Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon.

MORNING SKATE

Karl Alzner did not participate in morning skate this morning (maintenance day). However, it sounds like he will be in the line-up tonight. The practice lines for morning skate:

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

Defensive Pairs
Orpik-Carlson
Weber-Niskanen
Schmidt-Chorney

Although Coach Barry Trotz wouldn’t confirm, it sounds like Taylor Chorney will be in the lineup tonight for Dmitri Orlov. Trotz said everyone is “available” tonight. Wouldn’t discuss the lineup. Photos from morning skate can be found here:

Tom Wilson dealing with the Pittsburgh media:

Wilson: Pitt media said “it was just a crazy Game 1, it was an octagon, not a rink. and I don’t think they really watched the Philly series”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 30, 2016

NEWS AND NOTES

General

Former Caps coach Bruce Boudreau fired by Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
T.J. Oshie said a neighbor left that Penguins poster on his stoop. His wife and daughter turned it into viral magic.
Tom Wilson was mic’d-up for game 1 (NHL.com)
“Caps Talk” with John Walton will be live from the Green Turtle starting at 4PM. Video will also be available on Monumental Sports website.
If you are on Twitter, you can follow NoVa Caps at @NoVa_Caps
Caps viewing party for Game 4, this Wednesday night at Verizon Center. More here:

New shirts available:

In @TJOshie77 we trust…don’t you? Get your tee now at the Shop! https://t.co/Pwotnlxe79 pic.twitter.com/yED2OZHWaD

— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) April 30, 2016

Capitals-Penguins

For the Penguins, Sheary’s in for Game 2; Kunitz is a game-time decision.
Braden Holtby is 4-1 in his career in Game 2s with one shutout and a .960 SV%
Tom Wilson on Sheary hit: “I was just gonna bluff check him, give him a fake attack, go to the bench and our legs got caught up.” (Isabelle Khurshudyan)

Evgeny Kuznetsov not sweating slow start to playoffs:

Kuznetsov, on how much more productive he was in last year’s playoffs: “You know, dollar against Ruble last year was different, too.”

— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) April 30, 2016

Quietly, Braden Holtby set a franchise record in game 1: