The Capitals returned to work on this rainy Tuesday morning in Ballston, after having the day off on Monday. The Caps host Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at Verizon Center. Puck drop is 7:00PM. Tonight is “Canadian Heritage Night” at Verizon Center.
MORNING SKATE:
Braden Holtby was the first goalie off the ice this morning and will get the start tonight against the Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen will get the start between the pipes for the Maple Leafs.
Toronto is riding a five-game winning streak, heading into the tilt against the Capitals. NoVa Caps complete game preview can be read here: Mike Vogel’s game preview is available here:
Practice lines:
There were no adjustments to the forward and defensive line combinations at Tuesday morning’s practice. Taylor Chorney has earned another game tonight, with Nate Schmidt watching from the press box for the second consecutive game. Chorney netted the game-winner in the Caps last outing versus Ottawa. The practice lines at morning skate:
Lines:
8-19-77
90-92-14
10-20-65
26-83-43
27-74
9-2
44-4Chorney stays in after he scored a goal on Sunday.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 3, 2017
Head coach Barry Trotz said after practice “He [Chorney] played well, so he deserves to stay back in.”
MILESTONE WATCH
- Alex Ovechkin needs just six points to reach the 1,000 point plateau for his NHL career.
- Nicklas Backstrom needs just two assists to reach 500 career assists for his NHL career.
PRACTICE INTERVIEWS:
Marcus Johansson:
“Special teams wins games and they really did last two wins for us.” – Marcus Johansson #CapsCanadianNightpic.twitter.com/b8sTAO1a3s
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 3, 2017
Brooks Orpik:
Rinkside Update | Caps Defenseman Brooks Orpik joins @vogscaps one-on-one to breakdown tonight’s tilt vs. Toronto. #CapsCanadianNight pic.twitter.com/ZyzNBynN7P
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 3, 2017
Two-Man Advantage with Mike Vogel and John Walton:
Two-Man Advantage | @vogscaps and @waltoncaps preview tonight’s matchup vs. Toronto. #CapsCanadianNightpic.twitter.com/5x8wkWGkqj
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 3, 2017
DAILY LINKS:
Caps Entertain Upstart Leafs (Mike Vogel)
SKATE SHAVINGS: News and Notes From Caps’ Morning Skate (Mike Vogel)
Barry Trotz’s pre-game media session (01/03/17)
SHAVINGS
- The Capitals have not allowed a power-play goal in seven consecutive games (12/17-1/1: 28 for 28, and 29 consecutive dating back 8 games.
- The Caps have killed 40 of 41 penalties (97.6%) in their last 10 games.
- The Capitals were 9 for 9 on the penalty kill on Dec. 31 at New Jersey, marking the most penalties they have killed in a game since Jan. 26, 2007 at Carolina (9 for 9).
- The Capitals face the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night at Verizon Center. The Jackets host the Edmonton Oilers tonight in Columbus. Should they win they will be bringing a 16-game winning streak to Washington Thursday.
By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Morning skate underway. #CapsCanadianNight pic.twitter.com/GOhoLDnsBI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 3, 2017
Today is a beautiful day to be a hockey fan ❤💙 pic.twitter.com/2cvgQJVv33
— Allyson (@Allyy_Naee5) January 3, 2017
