The Caps wrapped up preparations for Game 5 against the Penguins this morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Puck-drop for Game 5 is tonight at 7:15 PM.
MORNiNG SKATE
The Caps held an optional skate this morning at Kettler. Those that attended the optional skate include:
Brooks Orpik
Dmitry Orlov
Mike Weber
Taylor Chorney
Nate Schmidt
Philipp Grubauer
Nicklas Backstrom
Tom Wilson
Marcus Johansson
Michael Latta
Jason Chimera
Karl Alzner
Brett Leonhardt filled in goal as a practice body in Holtby’s absence. Photos from morning skate can be found here:
NEWS AND NOTES
General
- On Friday it was announced that Braden Holtby is a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented to most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of NHLPA.
- The Capitals have overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series twice in franchise history. The last time the Capitals trailed a series 3-1, they defeated the New York Rangers 4-3 in the 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
- Customers traveling on Metro during the May 6 to May 8 weekend will encounter delays on the Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow and Green lines starting on Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m. through closing on Sunday, May 8. Travelers are being asked to add up to 25 minutes to their commute. For more information, click here.
Penguins @ Capitals
- Coach Trotz said all players are available for tonight, which would include Richards (flu).
- Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan says Olli Maatta will not play tonight. Eric Fehr will be game time decision.
- Eric Fehr returns to the lineup as Penguins.
- What Jay Beagle learned from being up 3-1 v. Rangers last yr: “There’s a desperation that’s hard to match when you’re the team that’s leading.” (@AvaRWallace)
what is going on here??? pic.twitter.com/afv6V0NLz4
— Danny (@recordsANDradio) May 7, 2016
Penguins morning skate recap (By @Penguins)
By-The-Numbers
- John Carlson scored a goal in Game 4 on Wednesday, marking his 10th point (4g, 6a) of the postseason. Carlson is the fifth defenseman in franchise history to record 10 points in a single postseason and sits two points shy of tying the franchise record for most points in a postseason by a defenseman (Kevin Hatcher, 1988; Scott Stevens, 1988).
- Teams that go up 3-1 in a best-of-7 win 90.3% of the time (261-28)
- Tonight, the Caps will pull on their sweaters for the 100th time this season.
Thanks Nolan & Kim Trotz and Mandy & Stella Alzner for accepting the @HomewardTrails Home Trail Award for us today! pic.twitter.com/iD18ifjV2A
— MSE Foundation (@MSEFndn) May 7, 2016
#LETSGOCAPS #ROCKTHERED pic.twitter.com/VG9LLc0vQI
— Just Capital things (@HockeyCapital) May 7, 2016
RINK LINKS
It’s Do or Die for Caps in Game 5 (Mike Vogel)
Braden Holtby is a Ted Lindsay Award Finalist (Japers’ Rink)
The Narrative: Staving Time, Lineup Shake-Up and Optimism (Japers’ Rink)
Wilbon: If Caps lose Game 5, Alex Ovechkin should be traded (WaPo)
Barry Trotz post-practice media session (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Karl Alzner post-practice interview this morning (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Nate Schmidt back in the lineup after being a scratch in Game 4 (WaPo)
Penguins’ role players push Capitals to brink of elimination (WaPo)
Justin Williams’s leadership has been constant, even as his postseason numbers have slipped (WaPo)
If you get emotionally invested in a playoff hockey team, you’re a masochist (WaPo)
