Photo: @washcaps
The Capitals held a final practice at Kettler this morning before heading to Pittsburgh this afternoon. Game 6 is tomorrow (Tuesday) night at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Puck-drop is 8:00 PM.
MORNING SKATE
All players were present and participated in practice this morning. The practice lines were:
Offensive lines:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Backstrom-Burakovsky
Chimera-Beagle-Williams
Winnik-Richards-Wilson
Defensive pairs:
Alzner-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Chorney
It looks like Taylor Chorney has won the bottom defensemen pair spot with Dmitry Orlov over Nate Schmidt. Trotz was asked about the decision this morning.
Trotz on Chorney: “He’s shown a little more maturity, because of the experience. He’s a little older.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 9, 2016
.
The Capitals worked on their power play teams this morning.
Caps PP Units:
No. 1 Ovechkin-Backstrom, Johansson-Oshie-Carlson
No. 2: Williams-Kuznetsov-Chimera-Niskanen-Orlov#CapitalsTalk— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) May 9, 2016
NEWS AND NOTES
General
- Barry Trotz from Sunday’s conference call: “In this market, it seems that everybody brings up the past. It’s funny because the past, a lot of times it’s not relevant.”
- Former Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, recently fired by the Anaheim Ducks, was hired by the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
- Dont forget to check-out “Caps Talk” with John Walton each weekday from 4-6PM on Caps Radio.
Stick leads the stretch. Off to Pittsburgh… #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/gjXtcttf4U
— #RockTheRed (@washcaps) May 9, 2016
Capitals @ Penguins
- Penguins Olli Maatta practiced in regular jersey this morning, which may signify he will be ready to go for Game 6 on Tuesday night.
- Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan said his Game 6 starter in goal is Matt Murray.
Evgeny Kuznetsov handing out kisses today after practice:
Brooks Orpik will return to the line-up for game 6, following his three-game suspension for his hit on Ollie Maatta in Game 2.
Brooks Orpik said he expects a great reception from fans in Pittsburgh. (This was sarcasm).
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 9, 2016
Orpik: “It’s obviously been frustrating. Nothing I could do about it, but just watch three games that obviously could’ve gone either way.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) May 9, 2016
By-The-Numbers
- John Carlson earned an assist in Game 5 on Saturday, marking his 11th point (4g, 7a) of the postseason. Carlson is the fourth defenseman in franchise history to record 11 points in a single postseason and sits one point shy of tying the franchise record for most points in a postseason by a defenseman (Kevin Hatcher, 1988; Scott Stevens, 1988). (@CapitalsPR)
- Alex Ovechkin ranks 1st in hits, tied for 1st in points and tied for 2nd in assists & goals this series.
The Eagle has landed!
#Caps are here!! #CapsPens#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/6hsyMxT0XR
— #RockTheRed (@washcaps) May 9, 2016
.
All Caps Goals from Game 5:
The Daily Report is updated each day until 5:00 PM.
RINK LINKS
It looks like the Caps have chosen between Chorney and Schmidt (Chuck Gormley)
Barry Trotz post-practice media session this morning (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Braden Holtby post-practice interview (Video) (Monumental Sports)
T.J. Oshie post-practice interview this morning (Video) (Monumental Sports)
Brooks Orpik post-practice interview this morning (Video) (Monumental Sports)
The Noon Number: The Noon Number: TJ is OK (Japers’ Rink)
The Narrative: Matt-Andre Meury, Shining Star and Gabby (Japers’ Rink)
Will the Penguins turn to goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 6? (WaPo)
The Caps, well aware that two-game leads are surmountable, may have turned tide (WaPo)
Backstrom believes defense is key to getting hands on Stanley Cup (WaPo)
Barry Trotz pleased with his rejiggered forward trios (WaPo)
