Photo: Washington Capitals
Today was a topsy-turvy day for the Capitals. With the Capitals playing the Rangers in New York tomorrow, the team held practice across the Hudson River in New Jersey at the Prudential Center. Barry Trotz also shuffled the lines quite a bit.
PRACTICE
Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik, and T.J. Oshie were all on hand with the rest of their teammates for practice today.
Matt Niskanen on ice for #Caps at practice for first time since being injured in PHI on Wed. Oshie on ice for first time since Thu.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) February 27, 2017
Orpik now on the ice as well, also for first time since Wed. night in Philly. #Caps
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) February 27, 2017
The Capitals sent down Riley Barber and Aaron Ness to Hershey yesterday. Zach Sanford still remains with the team.
Barry Trotz shook up the lines a bit. Tom Wilson was placed on the top line with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. T.J. Oshie was on the third line while Sanford was placed on the fourth line.
Lines:
8-19-43
90-92-14
10-20-77
26-83-82Defense is rotating, but Niskanen did take rushes first time through with Orlov.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 27, 2017
T.J. Oshie was on the ice for 30 minutes, then headed to the dressing room. Turns out he was practicing as a test run.
As I was tweeting that, Justin Williams yelled, “Isabelle’s tweeting about it!” True.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 27, 2017
The only drill that Oshie missed was special teams work. Niskanen was on the second power play unit along with Lars Eller and Brett Connolly.
Niskanen appears to be taking on a heavier workload than Orpik, who has skipped some reps later in practice.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 27, 2017
Orpik would leave practice early as well. Out of the three Capitals players who are banged up, only Niskanen completed the entire practice session. All three players remain day-to-day, though Niskanen could be the first one to return to action. Trotz said the Capitals will recall a forward tonight, but haven’t made a decision as to who it will be.
Niskanen says he felt good but isn’t sure if he’ll suit up tomorrow. Conditioning is bigger challenge than injury, he said.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 27, 2017
SCENES FROM NEW JERSEY
#Caps out for @MedStarHealth practice in New Jersey! #CapsNYR tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/Hy0zMMrWQZ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 27, 2017
SHAVINGS
- Alex Ovechkin played in his 900th NHL game Saturday at Nashville and has recorded 1,020 career points, marking the second-most points among active NHL players through their first 900 games.
- Ovechkin is the first player from the 2004 NHL Draft class to reach 900 games played and is the fourth player in Capitals history to play in 900 games with the Caps.
- Ovechkin has scored a goal in 11 of his last 12 games against the Rangers.
DAILY LINKS
POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Preds 5, Caps 2 (Mike Vogel)
Caps Take Another Crack at Rangers in NYC (Mike Vogel)
INTERVIEWS
Tom Wilson
Forward Tom Wilson comments on playing on the top line at practice today in New York #CapsNYR pic.twitter.com/xcFWSEIA06
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 27, 2017
Matt Niskanen
Matt Niskanen on returning to practice today #CapsNYR pic.twitter.com/CeerIOVWlA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 27, 2017
Barry Trotz
Coach Trotz on Niskanen/Oshie/Orpik availabilities and the line combinations #CapsNYR pic.twitter.com/UcqVUNC8Xd
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 27, 2017
Rinkside Update: Nicklas Backstrom
Rinkside Update | @backstrom19 joins @waltoncaps to breakdown the Caps recent stretch. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/moklIaosEh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 27, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
