The Washington Capitals (1-0-1) host the Colorado Avalanche (2-0-0) tonight at Verizon Center. Puck-drop is 7:00PM. The Capitals will pay tribute to Braden Holtby’s 2015-2016 Vezina winning season with a ceremony prior to the game.
MORNING SKATE
The Washington Capitals held their final practice this morning in preparation for their tilt against the Avalanche tonight. As was mentioned yesterday, head coach Barry Trotz will be making a couple of lineup tweaks for tonight’s game.
Practice lines
It looks like Brett Connolly will get the start tonight in place of Zach Sanford. Connolly participated in morning line rushes positioned on the third line with Lars Eller and Justin Williams. Philipp Grubauer will get the start between the pipes for the Capitals. The practice lines at this mornings skate:
Lines:
8-92-77
90-19-65 (👑👑👑)
10-20-14
26-83-43
27-2
9-74
44-88— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 18, 2016
Barry Trotz spoke with the media following this morning’s practice, where he touched on having Brett Connolly start tonight in place of Zach Sanford.
Trotz on Sanford sitting out tonight: “I’m very happy with him…but I want to keep everyone (Connolly) engaged.” #CapitalsTalk
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) October 18, 2016
Some have been wondering about the fact that Braden Holtby will be sitting out the game on Braden Holtby appreciation night. Trotz spoke to the media this morning about that as well.
Trotz gave *some* thought to the fact that Grubauer is starting on Holtby’s night. But he said what’s best for the team always comes first.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) October 18, 2016
Coach Trotz‘ media session this morning following practice:
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks before tonight’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. #CapsAvs #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/giH2yiCTfL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2016
Philipp Grubauer, Brett Connolly and Nicklas Backstrom also spoke with the media following practice this morning:
Grubauer & Connolly discuss playing their first game tonight. Backstrom on his Swedish 🇸🇪 ‘Tre Kronor’ line. #CapsAvs pic.twitter.com/wvd2q3F9kI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2016
AVALANCHE @ CAPITALS
The Capitals play host to the Colorado Avalanche tonight at Verizon Center. The Avalanche are playing their second game in as many nights, having beat the Penguins 4-3 in overtime last night in Pittsburgh. The Avs opened their season with a 6-5 win over the Dallas Stars this past Saturday in Denver. The tough start to the schedule continues for Colorado as they head to the Sunshine state to face Florida and Tampa Bay, before heading back to the Centennial State. Our full game preview can be found right here:
MORE STORIES
Caps Close Quick Homestand vs. Colorado (Mike Vogel)
Caps Today and Game Notes (Capitals PR)
Holtby’s Tragically Hip mask raises $27G for Gord Downie charities (the Score)
Pre-game notes: Capitals top line looking to get on same page (WaPo)
Check out John Walton and “Caps Talk” each weekday from 4-6PM on Caps Radio.
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Nicklas Backstrom led final stretches for the second consecutive day:
#CapsAvs morning skate wraps up with a @backstrom19 stretching circle. pic.twitter.com/FYqkVaunUC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2016
By Jon Sorensen
