The Capitals hit the ice this morning to ring in the new year. Their resolution? Win a Stanley Cup for the championship-starved faithful of Washington, D.C. Coming off a big 6-2 win to get payback over the Devils, the Capitals will host the Ottawa Senators tonight. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.
MORNING SKATE
If there were any hangovers from New Years Eve last night, it was hard to tell. Just like Thursday’s optional skate, the Capitals had great attendance in the non-mandatory sessions. Even Alex Ovechkin was marked present.
A well-attended optional skate for the Caps. Even Ovechkin is on the ice. New Year’s resolution?
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 1, 2017
Practice Lines:
Taylor Chorney was back in the lineup and there were 12 forwards present at practice.
NEWS AND NOTES
Some big news came out of Kettler this morning. The Caps and Bears announced that Jakub Vrana has been reassigned to Hershey. In his 12 games with the Capitals last month, he recorded three points (a goal and two assists).
Jakub Vrana just walked by the media room in Kettler and waved bye.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 1, 2017
Jay Beagle joined Mike Vogel for today’s Rinkside Update
Rinkside Update | Caps Center Jay Beagle joins @vogscaps to discuss kicking the new year off right. #CapsSens pic.twitter.com/9okP023xzZ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 1, 2017
PRACTICE VIDEO
@ikhurshudyan pic.twitter.com/nE63eajF24
— yertsetab (@yertchris1994) January 1, 2017
Taylor Chorney getting some practice shots up at today’s optional skate. #CapsSens tonight @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/95MTlGkOqT
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) January 1, 2017
@NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/L4ubV9Ft58
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) January 1, 2017
STORY LINKS
Caps Down Devils with Six-Pack Attack (Mike Vogel)
Caps Demote Prospect Jakub Vrana on Sunday (Tarik El-Bashir/CSN)
RELATED NEWS
Today the Red Wings take on the Maple Leafs in the Centennial Classic. The game kick’s off the 100-year anniversary of the NHL. Puck drop is at 3:30 and you can catch the game on NBC. It was originally supposed to start at 3 but the game got delayed due to a sun glare. Tomorrow the Blackhawks take on the Blues for the NHL Winter Classic.
Below are some highlights from our two favorite outdoor games:
THIS DAY IN CAPS HISTORY
30 years ago today, a David Poile masterpiece, Ridley/Miller for Carpenter trade.@EdFrankovic @CSNCapitals #caps #nhl pic.twitter.com/3W5PUQ6oKr
— Mastro72 (@Mastro72) January 1, 2017
30 yrs ago today in #Caps history (Jan.1, 1987): Caps trade Bobby Carpenter to #Rangers for Kelly Miller, Mike Ridley & Bob Crawford pic.twitter.com/t3EXL1H4Ef
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) January 1, 2017
SHAVINGS
- Nicklas Backstrom earned an assist yesterday in New Jersey, brining him to just two shy of 500 career assists.
- Alex Ovechkin earned two points in yesterday’s game against the Devils which brought him to six points shy of 1,000 career points.
- The Capitals were 9-for-9 on the penalty kill yesterday.
- The Capitals have won three straight games against Ottawa.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @Marswaggo
