The Capitals held an optional skate today, but with many players wanting to shake off residue from the recent slide (losing three of the last four games), there was actually a decent turnout.
Tonight, the Caps look to get back on track in front of their home crowd as they take on the New Jersey Devils. Tonight’s game is the first of a home-and-home set with the second game taking place in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday.
OPTIONAL SKATE
17 players participated in this morning’s optional skate:
This is a well-attended optional skate. Present: both goalies, 20, 43, 26, 65, 4, 10, 83, 27, 2, 13, 92, 19, 44, 9, 88.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 29, 2016
LINES
Braden Holtby was the first goalie off the ice, signifying that he will get the start tonight. Taylor Chorney and Jakub Vrana were the last players off the ice and will be tonight’s healthy scratches. Brett Connolly is in for Vrana while Nate Schmidt is in for Chorney.
Looks like Schmidt is in over Chorney. Connolly is already in the room, and Vrana is on the ice for extra work. Seems to be scratched.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 29, 2016
As noted, Jakub Vrana will be scratched for the first time since being called up from Hershey. Head coach Barry Trotz was asked about the decision to sit Vrana.
In discussing Vrana, Trotz got really real: “We’re not in a developmental league. We’re in a winning league.”
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 29, 2016
Trotz indicated that Vrana’s status in DC is TBD: “It’s one game. We’ll see where it goes after tonight.” #CapsDevils
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) December 29, 2016
PRACTICE VIDEO
Net cam (sort of) @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/jnwScxoupq
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) December 29, 2016
Holtby looks ready for tonight. @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/sSuOCjMvPK
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) December 29, 2016
CAPS LINKS
Caps Host Devils in Final Home Game of 2016 (Mike Vogel)
Game Preview: Devils @ Capitals
SHAVINGS
- Nicklas Backstrom needs three more assists till 500 in his career.
- Alex Ovechkin is eight points shy of 1,000 in his NHL career after earning two points the other night against the Islanders.
- Tonight’s game marks the second straight contest in which the Caps face a last place team in the Metropolitan Division.
INTERVIEWS
Barry Trotz
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media prior to tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils. #CapsDevils #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/2BqqXIcGA5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 29, 2016
Evgeny Kuznetsov spoke with Mike Vogel for today’s Rinkside Update
Rinkside Update | @kuzya92 joins @vogscaps to discuss the start of the #CapsDevils home-and-home tonight. pic.twitter.com/OdSMU4BtQZ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 29, 2016
Mike Vogel and John Walton bring you tonight’s Two-Man Advantage
Two-Man Advantage | @vogscaps and @waltoncaps preview tonight’s matchup vs. the Devils in D.C. #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/VxHUyl6C0A
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 29, 2016
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
We have one-of-a-kind @Capitals paintings in our #CapsCare auction! Auction ends TODAY after 2nd intermission. https://t.co/pE86s7rrzHpic.twitter.com/uprNNa2sym
— MSE Foundation (@MSEFndn) December 29, 2016
THIS DATE IN CAPITALS HISTORY
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
