The Capitals held an optional skate ahead of their Saturday night matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers. Puck drop is now at 7:30 PM, not the usual 7:00 start.
MORNING SKATE
Andre Burakovsky continued to rehab from his hand injury. He was on the ice before practice, doing some conditioning work.
T.J. Oshie was on the ice for the optional skate and will play tonight. Oshie told reporters that he’s in tonight “as long as something bad doesn’t happen on the way home.”
#Caps T.J. Oshie is on the ice for today’s optional skate @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/B7iJmTi3d7
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) March 4, 2017
More Oshie @NoVa_Capspic.twitter.com/4eXrXdQ91l
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) March 4, 2017
Oshie missed four games with an upper body injury that he suffered on February 22nd against the Flyers team. He also had an upper body injury back in November but said both injuries were unrelated.
There were six forwards, two defensemen, and both goaltenders who chose to skate this morning.
On the ice for optional skate: 26, 13, 43, 10, 77, 4, 88, 28, both goalies.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 4, 2017
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Captains Brunch @KettlerIceplex@MayHockeyCSN speaking to the group pic.twitter.com/bO9CAdZeb1
— Caps Youth Hockey (@CapsYouthHockey) March 4, 2017
Barry Trotz speaking to the great group of captains we hosted today @KettlerIceplex pic.twitter.com/OBduM3PWKC
— Caps Youth Hockey (@CapsYouthHockey) March 4, 2017
@JoeBpXp ☜ went out of his way to say hello to us at #Caps morning skate. Thank you Sir. My boy wants the puck😎! @CSNCapitals #CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/gjke0anrt2
— jason lawrence (@jaylaw71) March 4, 2017
GAME CHIPS
- Tonight is the fourth and final meeting between the Capitals and Flyers this season.
- The Capitals lead the season series 2-0-1.
- For more on tonight’s game click here for our game preview.
SHAVINGS
- Marcus Johansson is one goal shy of 100 goals in his career.
- The Capitals win over the Devils marked their franchise record 14th consecutive home win.
- Braden Holtby has posted an 18-0-2 record with five shutouts, a 1.71 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in his last 22 games.
- The Capitals have scored 21 power play goals in their last 24 games, posting a 32.8 power-play percentage during that span.
- The Capitals are 29-2-2 this season in games where they have one day of rest.
- Washington leads the NHL in goals against (129), goals against per game (2.05) and five-on-five goals against (80) this season.
- Holtby is the only goaltender in the NHL this season to rank int he top three in wins (33), shutouts (8), goals-against average (1.91) and save percentage (.930).
- Nicklas Backstrom has earned 34 points in his last 26 games (10 goals, 24 assists)
DAILY LINKS
Game Notes vs. Philadelphia, 3/4/17 (Capitals PR)
Caps Entertain Flyers (Mike Vogel)
Pick your poison: No easy match-up is likely for the Caps in any round of the Stanley Cup playoffs
INTERVIEWS
Rinkside Update: T.J. Oshie
Rinkside Update | @TJOshie77 returns to the lineup tonight and talks with @vogscaps about it #CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/hJibQiXZik
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 4, 2017
Barry Trotz
Coach Trotz on Oshie returning and tonight’s #CapsFlyers matchup. pic.twitter.com/sUeUQQfOxR
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 4, 2017
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
Get your @Capitals #CapsCookbook presented by @mysuperfd benefiting @dcck now at https://t.co/ScxnyhFWOe pic.twitter.com/g3vQVUU7gW
— MSE Foundation (@MSEFndn) March 4, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
