Photo: Washington Capitals
The Capitals held their morning skate at American Airlines Center ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Dallas Stars. With several milestones already achieved this month, Matt Niskanen will join the elite group tonight. This is also the final game of the annual Caps’ dads trip. Puck drop is at 8:00 Eastern on CSN+.
MORNING SKATE:
John Carlson wasn’t on the ice at the very beginning of practice, but he did come on halfway through the skate. Carlson will be out for the third straight game with a lower-body injury.
Good to see @JohnCarlson74 back on the ice. @CSNCapitals@JoeBpXp@Laughlin18@MayHockeyCSNpic.twitter.com/i9BcDniFeE
— steve farrell (@capsbigbossman) January 21, 2017
Philipp Grubauer was the first off the ice, which signifies that he will get the start tonight in goal. Grubauer has won five consecutive starts and has posted an 8-1-2 record this season with two shutouts, a 1.96 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Here are the lines for tonight’s game:
Lines:
8-19-77
90-92-14
10-20-65
26-83-43
27-2
44-9
4-88— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 21, 2017
With 14 goals in their last two games, including a 7-3 win in the first part of the Caps’ dads trip, the Caps’ lines tonight were identical from their previous game against the Blues.
Karl Alzner pregame:
#Caps defenseman Karl Alzner talks with Mike Vogel prior to tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars. #CapsStars #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/VdIdcQa9Ml
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2017
Rinkside Update: Matt Niskanen’s father, Chuck:
Matt Niskanen’s Dad, Chuck, stops by to talk with @VogsCaps during the annual #CapsDads trip as his son plays his 700th NHL game. #CapsStarspic.twitter.com/tbocVYRsxp
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2017
Rinkside Update: Part 2 with Matt Niskanen:
Part 2 of today’s Rinkside Update – Niskanen w/ @VogsCaps on playing in his 700th game with his Dad watching vs. the team that drafted him. pic.twitter.com/CqjPeF8X4e
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2017
NEWS AND NOTES:
The Capitals aim for their first win against the Dallas Stars since Oct. 25, 2008. Matt Niskanen, who was with the Stars during that game, will be playing in his 700th career game tonight.
Last time #Caps beat #Stars was Oct.25,2008 in Dallas. Sergei Fedorov set Russian goal-scoring record that game. Nisky was in Stars lineup https://t.co/JW75w2yc43
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) January 20, 2017
SHAVINGS:
- Washington has scored five or more goals in five straight games this season. First time they’ve done this since the 2009-10 season.
- Nicklas Backstrom extended his point streak to eight games after earning an assist Thursday night. Backstrom’s streak is the longest point streak on the team this season, marking his longest point streak since tallying a point in nine consecutive games since the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season.
- Justin Williams has tallied 30 points in 36 career games against Dallas, with 16 goals and 14 assists.
- The Capitals have earned a point in 12 consecutive games and have posted a 17-2-3 record in their last 22 games.
- Tonight is the Capitals’ final game of the annual dads/mentor’s trip. Since the tradition started in 2008, the Capitals have posted an 11-5-0 record with their dads in attendance.
DAILY CAPS LINKS:
Caps Spend Saturday Night in Dallas (Mike Vogel)
SCENES FROM DALLAS
Arrived at American Airlines Center for #CapsStars morning skate. #CapsDads and players in today’s pre-scout meeting. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/rbYUsjpx7B
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2017
Carly gets in some skating reps at @MedStarHealth morning skate in Dallas. #CapsStars pic.twitter.com/yWI8jTP28m
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2017
Evgeny Kuznetsov has been a point-per-game player this month for @Capitals. See him tonight on @CSNMA Plus for #CapsStars. PreGame at 7:30 E pic.twitter.com/6bJ8WoZIZY
— Joe Beninati (@JoeBpXp) January 21, 2017
Ex-Dallas Star, Nisky, leads the morning skate stretch before his 700th career game tonight. #CapsStars pic.twitter.com/e6QAb8Q6ic
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 21, 2017
Two great guys part of #Capitals hockey family @TJOshie77 & my son @BrendanMay23 in Dallas for #CapsStars tonight pic.twitter.com/g4R1GLSBPe
— Alan May (@MayHockeyCSN) January 21, 2017
Our @Capitals broadcast team is honored to wear this pin in Dallas tonight for @TheVoiceDS. We miss you Dave and wish you all the very best. pic.twitter.com/pbQzN4kivf
— Joe Beninati (@JoeBpXp) January 21, 2017
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 organization dedicated to the families of fallen military men and women. Hats and T-shirts both cost $20 and will be available at WashCaps.com/Courage, team stores, and at stands throughout the Verizon Center during home games. For more information, click here.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
