The Capitals held an optional skate on Thursday morning. The Caps host the vaunted Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Verizon Center. The Jackets will be looking for their 17th consecutive win, which would tie the NHL record. A complete game preview can be read here.
OPTIONAL SKATE
As noted, this morning’s skate was optional for the players. The practice was fairly well attended.
Optional #Caps skate this am, lots of guys resting so they can #STOPTHESTREAKpic.twitter.com/mJWQSC6e6G
— Jill Sorenson (@JillCSN) January 5, 2017
Braden Holtby was the first goalie off the ice this morning, indicating he is the likely starter tonight versus Columbus. In appears that Nate Schmidt will return to the lineup tonight against the Blue Jackets.
Andre Burakovsky may have made a “bulletin board” comment in his media session following this morning’s practice.
Andre Burakovsky on Columbus win streak: “It’s going to be a really fun moment for us to end it.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 5, 2017
FINED
Evgeny Kuznetsov was fined $2,000 by the NHL on Thursday afternoon for “diving” in two previous game.
Evgeny Kuznetsov gets a diving fine #Capitals pic.twitter.com/cVZEdVZVjt
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 5, 2017
ROSTER MANAGEMENT
It looks like the Caps will make a call-up some time today or tomorrow morning, before the team treavels to Ottawa.
Trotz indicated that it’s likely the #Caps will recall a 13th forward before hitting the road tomorrow.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) January 5, 2017
INTERVIEWS
Braden Holtby and Dmitry Orlov
Braden Holtby and Dmitry Orlov on tonight’s tilt with Columbus. #CapsJacketspic.twitter.com/BVJe0XEiIO
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 5, 2017
Rinkside Update with Mike Vogel
Rinkside Update | @bconnolly8 talks one-on-one with @vogcaps about all four lines contributing offensively. #CapsJackets pic.twitter.com/hLL8QqlmxM
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 5, 2017
GAME LINKS
Caps Today and Top Game Notes, 1/5/17 (Capitals PR)
Caps Aim to Cool Columbus (Mike Vogel)
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.
- Alex Ovechkin is now tied with Jaromir Jagr for the all-time lead in overtime goals, with his overtime game-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
READ: @MSEFndn, #Caps To Launch #CourageCaps Jan. 11 to Support @Teams4Taps: https://t.co/U9Ws0q0Ad6 pic.twitter.com/29ErFdUKsW
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 5, 2017
By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps
