Following a a 6-3 win over Detroit last night, the Capitals returned to the Kettler ice this morning to practice and prepare for their final game before the bye week. The Capitals will host the Ducks Saturday night.
PRACTICE
Brett Connolly was on the ice this morning for practice. Andre Burakovsky wasn’t. Both players were injured in the first period of last night’s game. Connolly was part of a collision following his goal, while Burakovsky injured his hand after taking a shot off of it. Jay Beagle didn’t practice today for maintenance purposes. It looks like Brett Connolly will be good to go for Saturday night, but Andre Burakovsky will be out until the middle of March.
The forward lines at practice were as follows:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams
Connolly-Eller-Sanford
Winnik-Schmidt-Wilson
Zach Sanford replaced Burakovsky on the third line. Nate Schmidt, a defenseman any other day, was placed on the fourth line to replace Beagle.
Beagle blocked a shot awkwardly last night. And the game before that, too.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 10, 2017
When it was time for special teams drills, Lars Eller replaced Burakovsky’s spot on the second power play unit, while Schmidt moved back to defense.
.@Eller_89 enjoying some Power Play time at today’s @MedStarHealth practice. pic.twitter.com/mYEcS7GCiI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 10, 2017
There were some Ducks watching practice too.
Some Ducks are at Kettler watching the Capitals practice. They’ll be on the ice here this afternoon for practice.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 10, 2017
SCENES FROM KETTLER
It’s not every day that an affiliate club has a morning skate on the big boy’s rink, but that’s what the South Carolina Stingrays experienced today. They held a morning skate at Kettler before the Capitals took the ice. The Stingrays play in Norfolk tonight.
Who has it better than us? Morning skate at the @Capitals facility in Arlington before tonight’s game in Norfolk. pic.twitter.com/S3oBRWy4Wr
— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) February 10, 2017
#ProudAffiliate pic.twitter.com/m75hxSPXuO
— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) February 10, 2017
Then it was the Capitals turn to practice:
Now it’s the Caps turn on the ice! pic.twitter.com/WJoWHmH2rR
— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) February 10, 2017
SHAVINGS
- During the Capitals 11 game home winning streak, Washington has outscored opponents 56-15 and posted five shutouts.
- The Capitals have scored five or more goals in 10 consecutive home games and is the second team in NHL history to do so, joining the 1970-71 Boston Bruins who did it in 11 straight home games.
- Nicklas Backstrom is tied for third in points (57) and trails Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid (both at 60) for first in the league. (Tommy Chalk/Washington Times)
DAILY LINKS
POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Caps 6, Wings 3 (Mike Vogel)
Game Notes vs. Anaheim, 2/11/17 (Capitals PR)
INTERVIEWS
Zach Sanford
Zach Sanford filling in for injured Andre Burakovsky #CapsDucks pic.twitter.com/QniG2Qr3Uz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 10, 2017
Lars Eller
Caps Center Lars Eller on how the Andre Burakovsky injury impacts the team and their line #CapsDucks pic.twitter.com/cb1TQEVdXC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 10, 2017
Barry Trotz
Barry Trotz talks to the media after Friday’s practice and announces that Andre Burakovsky (hand) will be out mid-to-late March. #CapsDucks pic.twitter.com/T1bFBosdL2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 10, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
