The Capitals defeated the Sabres 4-1 on Friday night in Buffalo to earn their third consecutive victory. The Caps returned to Northern Virginia late last night and held practice Saturday morning at 11:30 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
MORNING SKATE:
Matt Niskanen and Nicklas Backstrom both participated in the morning practice. However, Matt Niskanen did not participate in line rushes, and looks doubtful for tomorrow’s game against the Canucks.
Niskanen is skating hard but doesn’t appear to be shooting as hard as normal. He’s also not taking rushes.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 10, 2016
Niskanen stated after practice that the Bruin’s Patrice Bergeron reached out to him following Wednesday night’s game.
Niskanen said his status for tomorrow has yet to be determined. Bergeron reached out to him, but Niskanen didn’t have a problem with the hit
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 10, 2016
Ok, here’s the deal with Niskanen: he’s in the NHL concussion protocol and needs to pass all phases before being cleared to play tomorrow.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 10, 2016
The use of the word “protocol” is in reference to the NHL’s Protocol for Concussions. Niskanen does not necessarily have a concussion, but is going through the official protocol just the same. Niskanen met with the media following this morning’s practice:
#Caps defenseman Matt Niskanen updates the media on his upper-body injury after practicing with the team on Saturday. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/e37hunMGo6
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2016
PRACTICE VIDEO:
Justin Williams and his Jax, working on their “stick” handling skills this morning before practice:
Caps in training…like father, like son…@NoVa_Caps #Caps. #rockthered pic.twitter.com/pgXoJug18E
— Debbie Pierce (@HokieGirl4Ever) December 10, 2016
PREPARATION FOR THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Tomorrow’s opponent, the Vancouver Canucks, have been on the road since Tuesday. They play their third game of the trip in Florida tonight, then travel to Washington following the game, to face the Capitals at 5:00PM on Sunday. Barry Trotz met with the media following Saturday morning’s practice:
Head Coach Barry Trotz comments on Matt Niskanen and discusses tomorrow’s #CapsNucks matchup. pic.twitter.com/s9iL4GjSm7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2016
SHAVINGS:
- Nicklas Backstrom has joined Rod Langway as the only players in team history with better than a plus-100 rating. (Ben Raby/CSN)
- With 2 more assists on Friday night versus the Sabres, Nicklas Backstrom is now 7 helpers shy of becoming first player in franchise history w/500 career assists. (Ben Raby/CSN)
- Alex Ovechkin will be looking to snap a 7-game goalless drought. His longest since a 9-game drought Nov17-Dec2, 2010.
- Jakub Vrana scored the game-winning goal for the Capitals, marking his first NHL goal (5 GP).
- Jakub Vrana is just the 3rd Capital whose first goal was a GWG, joining Julien Brouillette (2/8/14 vs. NJ) and Dmitry Orlov (1/15/12 vs. CAR).
OTHER STORIES
Caps Overpower Sabres, 4-1 (Mike Vogel)
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
A day after scoring his first NHL goal, Jakub Vrana spends part of his Saturday working with kids at Kettler.
A day after scoring his first NHL goal, Vrana is having a tough time vs. a swarm of mites… pic.twitter.com/krlNkJj9aT
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 10, 2016
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Kids at @KettlerIceplex lining up for @JVranaa autographs pic.twitter.com/beomVMxQuE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2016
.@SIKids @KohnMurphSIKIDS chats with @ovi8 for an upcoming @MonSportsNet and magazine piece pic.twitter.com/bh2brYsYfE
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 10, 2016
“Why do you stick your tongue out when you shoot?” @KohnMurphSIKIDS asking @ovi8 the tough questions for @SIKids. pic.twitter.com/sZanQLAupo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2016
.@JVranaa scoring five hole during the shootout at @MedStarHealth practice today. pic.twitter.com/gUr16pzp58
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2016
Practice is about to start at Kettker…they’re warming up and the fans are out…@NoVa_Caps #Caps #rockthered pic.twitter.com/FOengHCkCb
— Debbie Pierce (@HokieGirl4Ever) December 10, 2016
By Jon Sorensen
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