After a big win over the Bruins, the Capitals returned home and held an optional skate Sunday morning at Kettler. There were a couple more players from Hershey that were recalled this morning and one of them is making his long-awaited NHL debut. The Capitals host the Panthers tonight. Puck drop is at 7 PM.
MORNING SKATE
With the Caps having clinched everything for the playoffs, tonight’s regular season finale will feature some young bucks on the ice, while many star players will get some rest.
The Capitals recalled forwards Garrett Mitchell and Chandler Stevenson from Hershey. For Mitchell, he will be making his NHL debut after being drafted by the Caps back in 2009. Taylor Chorney will play tonight and will see his first game action since February.
Barry Trotz spoke with the media before the game tonight and said that T.J. Oshie, Justin Williams, Matt Niskanen, John Carlson, and Brett Connolly will rest tonight. As far as the goaltending plan, Braden Holtby will play the first two periods while Philipp Grubauer will play the final period.
Trotz also gave an update on Carlson, who is nursing a lower-body injury. Carlson skated this morning and Trotz said he’ll be ready to go for Game 1 of the playoffs. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom were asked by their coach if they wanted to sit out, but both players said they wanted to play all 82 games.
There are a lot of unknowns as to the playoff schedule and opponents, but by the end of the night we’ll finally know who the Capitals will play in the first round of the playoffs.
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Ovi comes out for a bit (dunno who the guy on the left is) pic.twitter.com/eSPoQXFX5l
— Tiptoe39 (@tiptoe39) April 9, 2017
Dmitry wearing slippers that are coming off his feet pic.twitter.com/rOo6eAjhUu
— Tiptoe39 (@tiptoe39) April 9, 2017
GAME CHIPS
- The Capitals conclude their 2016-17 regular season tonight against the Florida Panthers.
- This game marks the third and final meeting between the teams this season.
- Washington is 2-0-0 against the Panthers this season.
SHAVINGS
- Unless the Capitals give up 14 goals tonight, they will win the William Jennings Trophy for the second time in franchise history (1983-84). (Tom Gulitti/NHL.com)
- The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual award given to the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it.
- The Capitals have posted a 55-18-8 record this season, marking the second-most wins and third-most points (118) in a season in franchise history.
- The Caps have recorded 55 wins in two straight seasons, joining the Montreal Canadiens (1975-78) as the only teams in NHL history to win 55 or more games in consecutive seasons.
- Washington has earned a point in 16 of their last 18 games against the Panthers (14-2-2) and have won 11 of their last 12 games at Verizon Center against Florida (11-1-0).
- Alex Ovechkin has earned 73 points (35 goals, 38 assists) in 56 career games against the Panthers, marking the fourth-most points he has earned against an NHL franchise.
- Washington has posted an 11-1-1 record in their last 13 games.
- Nicklas Backstrom has earned 19 points in his last 14 games (two goals, 17 assists).
DAILY LINKS
POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Caps 3, Bruins 1 (Mike Vogel)
Game Notes vs. Florida, 4/9/17 (Capitals PR)
INTERVIEWS
Garrett Mitchell
Garrett Mitchell talks about his feelings heading in to his first NHL Game. #CapsCats #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/0byinrNkuC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 9, 2017
Barry Trotz
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media prior to the final game of the 2016-17 Regular Season. #CapsCats #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/N76r3gg3J5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 9, 2017
Two-Man Advantage
Two-Man Advantage | @vogscaps and @waltoncaps preview tonight’s #CapsCats tilt. pic.twitter.com/vNDdqRRzAf
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 9, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
Pingback: Garret Mitchell’s Hard Work and Dedication Has Finally Paid Off | NoVa Caps