Photo: Joe Beninati
The Capitals landed in St. Louis yesterday, and held a morning skate at Scottrade Center this morning (Thursday). The Caps are set for their tilt with the Blues tonight. Puck drop is at 8:00 PM on CSN.
Top 1 Dad’s Trip Moment from Monumental Sports Network
New year, new #CapsDads trip, new Mr. Johansson dance moves? We hope so! Check out his highlight reel from the past. #CapsBlues pic.twitter.com/2PdaTlBcmm
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) January 19, 2017
MORNING SKATE:
John Carlson wasn’t on the ice this morning as he’s still rehabbing from his lower body injury. In the team photo with the dads, he was in shorts and shoes. Braden Holtby will get the start tonight while Trotz will likely give Philipp Grubauer a go on Saturday night. Here are the lines:
Hi from St. Louis! Lines:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams
Connolly-Eller-Burakovsky
Winnik-Beagle-Wilson— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 19, 2017
And the defensive pairs without Carlson:
Caps defense with Carlson out:
Alzner-Niskanen
Orpik-Orlov
Chorney-SchmidtI think. They’re rotating kind of funky.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 19, 2017
T.J. Oshie is back in St. Louis:
T.J. Oshie talks to the media prior to tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues. #CapsBlues #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/ngBr5MQUCN
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2017
Brooks Orpik:
#Caps defenseman Brooks Orpik talks with Mike Vogel prior to tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues. #CapsBlues #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/XNqxoHNuvX
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2017
Mike Vogel and John Walton:
Two-Man Advantage | @vogscaps and @waltoncaps preview tonight’s #CapsBlues tilt from St. Louis. pic.twitter.com/AP0J2y9NoJ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2017
NEWS AND NOTES:
Braden Holtby is 4-0-0 all time against St. Louis with a .949 save percentage and a 1.50 GAA. Tonight’s game is the second and final game between the Capitals and Blues. You can check out our game preview here.
SHAVINGS:
- The Capitals lead the NHL in assists by defensemen with 83, and are third in points from the blue line with 99. (Tarik El-Bashir/CSN)
- John Carlson leads all defensemen with 20 assists and 25 points. (Tarik El-Bashir/CSN)
- The Capitals 64 points and 29 wins are the second most through the first 44 games in franchise history. Last season, the Capitals had 69 points and 33 wins through the first 44.
- Washington has scored four or more goals in each of their last five games and eight of their last 10 games.
- Alex Ovechkin has earned 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 14 career games against the Blues including hat tricks against St. Louis in their last two meetings.
DAILY CAPS LINKS:
Caps Collect their Dads Before Stopping in St. Louis (Mike Vogel)
SCENES FROM ST. LOUIS
Look at all those dads on the bench. pic.twitter.com/ZjaSGnaGfK
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 19, 2017
Brothers! #Caps out for morning skate in St. Louis. #CapsBlues #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/iEtDsF9gQj
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2017
Photo: Washington Capitals
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
Courage Caps, Washington Capitals team-issued branded hats and T-shirts, are now available. 100% of the proceeds benefit Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a nonprofit dedicated to the families of the fallen. Hats and T-shirts both cost $20 and will be available at WashCaps.com/Courage, team stores and at stands throughout Verizon Center during home games. For more information, click here.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
