Capitals Daily Report: No Oshie or Wilson at Practice

Posted on January 8, 2017 by
capitals-practice-in-montrealPhoto: Washington Capitals

After a big win last night in Ottawa, the Capitals traveled to Montreal (via bus), and held a practice Sunday afternoon at Bell Sports Complex. The Caps are preparing for a tough week ahead, starting with Monday night’s battle with the Canadiens. While it was a productive practice, there were two players missing. 

The Caps come into tomorrow night’s contest having won five in a row. Washington took the first game of their road trip on Saturday night with a 1-0 win over the Senators. T.J. Oshie scored the lone goal which came on an assist by Niclas Backstrom, giving Backstrom his 500th assist  of his NHL career. Braden Holtby got the shutout as he stopped all 30 shots.

PRACTICE:
Before the Caps hit the ice for their practice, Andrew Shaw and Paul Byron of the Habs were on the ice, skating with assistant coaches. Their status for tomorrow’s game is still uncertain. They cleared the way for the Caps as they began their practice around 12:15.

T.J. Oshie injured his shoulder during the second period last night and wasn’t on the ice for practice. Brett Connolly was placed on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

It was the very same shoulder that was dislocated back in November that led to him missing seven games. Tom Wilson wasn’t at practice either as he was in some pain after blocking a shot in last night’s game.

According to Trotz there’s no timetable on either player’s return, reported by Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post. Trotz did say Wilson’s injury was a lower-body from blocking a shot during the third period while on a penalty kill. Wilson played in every game last year and hasn’t missed a game yet this season.

Recent call-up Liam O’Brien took rushes twice since there were only 11 forwards on the ice. O’Brien was placed on both the third and fourth line.

Power play units:

MILESTONE WATCH:

  • Alex Ovechkin is 4 points from 1,000.
  • Barry Trotz is 2 wins from passing Pat Quinn for 7th (684).
  • With shutouts on Thursday and Saturday, Braden Holtby now has 28 for his career. He is eight behind Olaf Kolzig’s record of 35 with the Capitals.

SHAVINGS:

  • Braden Holtby (likely to get the start in goal tomorrow night) has an 8-1-2 lifetime record vs. the Habs with a .942 save percentage, 1.64 GAA and two shutouts.
  • Holtby earned his second consecutive shutout on Saturday night and his fifth shutout of the season.
  • Backstrom is the first player in Capitals history to record 500 career assists.
  • Backstrom is just the fourth player to debut since 1989 to reach 500 assists in less than 700 games.

DAILY LINKS:

Caps Shave Sens, 1-0 (Mike Vogel)
Caps Today, 1/8/17 (Capitals PR)
Liam O’Brien’s career year in Hershey earns him call-up to the Capitals (WaPo)

INTERVIEWS:

Barry Trotz

Alex Ovechkin

 

By Michael Marzzacco

SCENES FROM MONTREAL

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1 Response to Capitals Daily Report: No Oshie or Wilson at Practice

  1. Pingback: Capitals Daily Report: Oshie and Wilson Back on the Ice but Will They Play? | NoVa Caps

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