Capitals Daily Report: Lines Back to Normal

Posted on April 12, 2017 by

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In just over 24 hours, the Capitals will take the Verizon Center ice for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. They began preparations yesterday and those preparations for their first game with the Maple Leafs continued today. Here are some news and notes from the rink. 

PRACTICE
During yesterday’s practice, John Carlson was taking rushes with Taylor Chorney on the extra defensive pair. Today he was skating on the top pair with Karl Alzner and all signs are pointing to a return to game action tomorrow night.

The Capitals playoff shirts arrived today. The front of the shirt says “NEXT LEVEL” with cartoon zombies while the back says “Notice: Terry Free Zone”. Not sure who Terry is or what it means, but it’s an inside joke among the team.

After practice Alex Ovechkin told reporters, “I think right now everybody is focusing on their business. There’s only one goal here, get it done, and I think we’re ready for it.”

Braden Holtby became a household name in Caps Nation during his performance in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. Now in his fifth postseason with the team, he’s as confident as ever.

“I’ve never really not felt comfortable going into the playoffs,” said Holtby.

Highlights:

Before practice began Nate Schmidt, Paul Carey, and Chorney were taking shots.

Practice began at the public rink where each player worked on snapshots.

Then each forward and defensive line took rushes on both ends of the ice.

Shortly after, the team went back to the Capitals’ rink and did 5-on-5 drills.

Philipp Grubauer looked good against the Caps top power play unit.

Practice concluded with the stretch, led by Ovechkin.

Dmitry Orlov, Brooks Orpik, Schmidt, and Chorney remained on the ice following practice to work on their slapshots.

SCENES FROM KETTLER

For more photos from today’s practice, click here.

SHAVINGS

  • Alex Ovechkin is making his ninth career playoff appearance. He has registered 82 points (41 goals, 41 assists) in 84 career playoff games.
  • Ovechkin is ranked first in franchise history in playoff points and goals, ranks tied for first in power-play goals (13), and is tied for fifth in assists.
  • Over on the Maple Leafs side, head coach Mike Babcock has confirmed that Nikita Zaitsev won’t play in Game 1 due to an upper body injury.

DAILY LINKS
Newborn ‘playoff babies’ #RockTheRed for Washington Capitals post-season run  (Fox 5 DC)
Eastern Conference Playoff Thumbnails (Mike Vogel)
Capitals Report (Washington Capitals Facebook Live)
Barry Trotz dismisses Mike Babcocks comments on the pressure being all on Washington (J.J. Regan/CSN)
What’s the Fouss? Some Early Thoughts on the 2017 NHL Playoffs
Emotions Running High as Do or Die Time Nears

INTERVIEWS
Barry Trotz

Braden Holtby

ALL CAPS

Rinkside Update: Daniel Winnik

CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY

By Michael Marzzacco

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