The Capitals took to the ice at Kettler for an optional skate this morning to prepare for their final game before the bye week. Tonight, the Capitals host the Ducks at Verizon Center with puck drop at 7:30 PM.
MORNING SKATE
There were nine players on hand for the optional skate. That included both goaltenders Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer, Taylor Chorney, Lars Eller, Dmitry Orlov, Zach Sanford, Nate Schmidt, Brooks Orpik, and Daniel Winnik.
Key word this morning is “optional.” It’s a very sparsely attended skate so far. #Caps
— JJ Regan (@JJReganCSN) February 11, 2017
Andre Burakovsky made an appearance, watching the practice from the bench with his right hand in a cast. He is out for 4-6 weeks. Taylor Chorney was taking the scratch’s skate and tonight will be his seventh straight game out of the lineup. This is his second longest stretch of inactivity.
SCENE FROM KETTLER
Saturday morning is an optional skate. The fans did not take the option. Kettler is PACKED #Caps
— JJ Regan (@JJReganCSN) February 11, 2017
A big crowd was on hand for Saturday’s morning skate:
Biggest turnout of the season (fan-wise, anyway) at KCI today… pic.twitter.com/bocsyj5aFv
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 11, 2017
Today is Kids Club Day and the festivities started this morning at Kettler:
#CapsKidsDay starts this morning at @KettlerIceplex & goes thru tonight’s game! Lots of fun for Kids Club members this morning. #RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/PCjUIAQRvj
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2017
There are a ton of mascots here! Rumor has it they’ll all be at #CapsKidsDay tonight playing in a mascot game during 2nd int… @GiantFood pic.twitter.com/5RC5LTO38x
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2017
Taylor Chorney here to meet and sign some pics! #CapsKidsDay pic.twitter.com/ZWacZu9V0r
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2017
GAME CHIPS
- Tonight is the first of two meetings between the Capitals and Ducks this season. The second game will take place in Anaheim on March 12.
- The teams split the season series last year with each club winning on the other’s home ice.
- For more on tonight’s game, click here for our game preview.
SHAVINGS
- Since the implementation of the new skinny pants that were meant to increase scoring, the Capitals have allowed five goals in four games. (JJ Regan/CSN)
- The Capitals power play has scored 16 times in the past 16 games on 42 opportunities for a 38.1% effectiveness, which is their best during that span. (Tarik El-Bashir/CSN)
- Nicklas Backstrom sits one point shy of his 700th NHL point and is aiming to become the fourth player in franchise history to record 700 points. The other three Capitals to reach the milestone: Alex Ovechkin, Peter Bondra, and Mike Gartner.
- The Capitals have scored five or more goals on home ice for 10 straight games.
- Washington has won 11 consecutive home games, marking the third longest home winning streak in franchise history. They need two more home wins to tie the franchise mark that was set during the 2009-10 season.
- Braden Holtby has posted a 13-0-0 record in his last 15 games with four shutouts, a 1.87 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.
- Holtby has allowed two goals or fewer in 28 of his 42 games this season and Washington has posted a 22-2-4 record in those games.
- The Capitals have tallied a point in 20 of their last 22 games (18-2-2) and have posted a 25-4-3 record since Dec. 5
DAILY LINKS
Game Notes vs. Anaheim, 2/11/17 (Capitals PR)
Caps Reach Breaking Point on Saturday vs. Ducks (Mike Vogel)
Blasting Caps: The Capitals’ Scoring Rampage is Rooted in High Percentages
INTERVIEWS
Nate Schmidt
Caps Defenseman Nate Schmidt on the last game before the bye week tonight. #CapsDuckspic.twitter.com/L613XNS8Rq
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2017
Barry Trotz
Coach Trotz on Andre Burakovsky’s recovery and today’s #CapsDucks matchup. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/2EDnkdSPUl
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
