The Capitals held a morning skate ahead of their matchup with the Sabres tonight. Tonight is the second meeting between the two teams in the last 10 days.
The Caps are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Lightning in Tampa, their third consecutive loss which dropped them to fifth in the Metropolitan Division. Washington’s last win came against the Sabres on Black Friday 3-1.
Scouting The Sabres
Tonight won’t be an easy contest. In their last meeting the Sabres were without Jack Eichel, who had a sprained ankle. Eichel returned four days later and has had three goals and one assist in his first three games back.
“He’s a pretty dynamic player,” Caps head coach Barry Trotz told reporters after the skate. “He gives them a lot of speed, he’s got a real good release. He’s a star player in the league.”
Buffalo is coming off a 2-1 home loss to the Bruins on Saturday. Evander Kane provided the lone goal which was his first goal of the season.
Caps Practice Lines
Daniel Winnik was in over Brett Connolly on the fourth line. For the defensive pairs, Taylor Chorney replaced Nate Schmidt. The first three forward lines remain unchanged from the previous game.
Caps lines:
8-19-90
65-92-13
28-20-14
26-83-43
27-2
9-74
44-4— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 5, 2016
T.J. Oshie is still rehabbing from his upper body injury and won’t play tonight. He did skate in the practice however as a defensive partner with Schmidt. Braden Holtby gets the start in the net. Oshie wasn’t with the team on Saturday in Tampa but he told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post the day before that this was “the best he’s felt”. Trotz said after practice that Oshie could return to the lineup this week.
With the Capitals struggling on the power play, Jay Beagle will be placed on the second unit tonight.
Practice Video
Beagle working on the intricacies of net front presence with assistant coach Blaine Forsythe… pic.twitter.com/dkEgV4zaHR
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 5, 2016
The defensemen getting some shots on Holtby @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/uKwCZRpuhI
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) December 5, 2016
Interviews
T.J. Oshie, Paul Carey and Jay Beagle talk with the media after this morning’s pregame skate. #CapsSabrespic.twitter.com/3cKWdSRJ0f
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2016
Head Coach Barry Trotz discusses Jack Eichel’s return to the Sabres and game-planning for tonight’s tilt. #CapsSabres pic.twitter.com/ey3mxkHDbA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2016
Mike Vogel spoke with Matt Niskanen for today’s Rinkside Update:
Rinkside Update: Matt Niskanen joins @vogscaps to discuss the last day of his 20’s and tonight’s #CapsSabres tilt. pic.twitter.com/UvQR8IovQT
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2016
Two-Man Advantage:
Two-Man Advantage: @vogscaps and @waltoncaps preview tonight’s #CapsSabres tilt on a rare Monday evening hockey matchup. pic.twitter.com/dVwh48ga9q
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2016
GAME DAY LINKS
Caps Hope to Halt Slide vs. Sabres (Mike Vogel)
In a goal drought to start the season, defenseman John Carlson staying positive (Washington Post)
Pregame Notes: Jay Beagle to play on the power play (Washington Post)
By Michel Marzzacco
