The Capitals will continue their series with the Maple Leafs tonight in Game 2. In preparation, the Capitals held a morning skate at Kettler and for one of their defensemen, he had quite an interesting morning.
First, let’s relive Game 1 with all the sights and sounds:
Alas, no hockey tonight in Washington.
So let’s look back at that Game 1 #StanleyCup Thriller.#RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/TgCR6VctVl— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2017
MORNING SKATE
Every player was here on the ice for the team morning skate.
Hello from Caps morning skate. pic.twitter.com/F5uLr3903U
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 15, 2017
Karl Alzner was the last guy to enter the ice. He only missed the first rotation. During that first rotation, Nate Schmidt was paired with John Carlson but after Alzner came on he was back in his usual spot with Carlson while Schmidt moved back to the extra pair with Taylor Chorney.
Photos from morning skate are here:
Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams
Connolly-Eller-Burakovsky
Winnik-Beagle-Wilson
Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Shattenkirk
Alzner would leave the ice early and then Schmidt went right back to taking rushes with Carlson. Alzner would then come right back on the ice and went back to his usual spot. He would later tell the media that he had a broken skate. The white part of the skate that held the boot (called the skate holder) was broken and Alzner didn’t realize that issue until this morning. Everything’s okay and he will suit up for Game 2 tonight.
See you tonight! #StanleyCup#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/odg2Zcva9T
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2017
SCENES FROM KETTLER
POG Day #2 @tom_wilso Mr. Game Winner without him or @JustinWilliams we’d be 😵! Let’s go caps @Capitals @NoVa_Caps #ouryear #wewantthecup pic.twitter.com/ga8gXUY7FN
— Nicole Summerfield (@NicoleSummerfi2) April 15, 2017
Caps morning skate is happening now as the team prepares for game #2 against the Maple Leaves tonight…@NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/SoB2ojVHoz
— Debbie Pierce (@HokieGirl4Ever) April 15, 2017
#CapsLeafs Game 2 Morning Skate! #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/iZ7DuKji34
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2017
👇 these guys #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/8Y7eQvDL5K
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2017
Caps are having a great skate this morning and their fans are enjoying…@NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/bfQOpzCj43
— Debbie Pierce (@HokieGirl4Ever) April 15, 2017
Game day pic.twitter.com/bIpli1jsKw
— Kristoffer Bäckström (@kbackstrom85) April 15, 2017
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
The Maple Leafs held a morning skate of their own at Verizon Center. Nikita Zaitsev (upper body) is ruled out for Game 2, but he was on the ice skating around for the first time since his injury on Sunday.
Zaitsev skating by himself … first time we’ve seen him on the ice since injury pic.twitter.com/8rD0iiMCZZ
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 15, 2017
Toronto lines:
Forwards
Komarov-Kadri-Brown
van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Marner
Martin-Boyle-Kapanen
Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Defense
Hunwick-Rielly
Gardiner-Polak
Marincin-Carrick
Extra D Pair
Smith-Marchenko
SHAVINGS
- Washington is 21-20 all-time in Game 2 of a series and have won Game 2 in six of their last eight playoff series.
- Braden Holtby is 4-2 in his career in Game 2 with one shutout, a 1.40 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.
- Alex Ovechkin has earned 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 13 career Game 2s, including a playoff career high four points (one goal, three assists) against Montreal on April 17, 2010 in Game 2 of the 2010 Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
- Justin Williams scored two goals in Game 1 against Toronto, marking his fourth career postseason multi-goal game and his first since April 28, 2014 vs. San Jose (two goals, one assist) when he played for the Kings.
- Tom Wilson is the first player in franchise history to score his first career postseason goal in overtime after his heroics in Game 1.
- Holtby has posted four shutouts, a 1.87 goals-against average, and a .938 save percentage in 47 career playoff games.
- The Capitals overcame a 2-0 first-period deficit on Thursday to defeat the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. Thursday marked the first time the Capitals have overcome a two-goal deficit in a playoff game since April 17, 2015 against the Islanders when Washington trailed 2-0 and 3-1 in the game and came back to win 4-3.
- Williams has registered seven points (three goals, four assists) in seven career playoff games against Toronto.
DAILY LINKS
Game Notes vs. Toronto. 4/15/17 (Capitals PR)
Caps Aim for Better 60 Minutes in Game 2 (Mike Vogel)
INTERVIEWS
Rinkside Update: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Rinkside Update | @kuzya92 previews Game Two of #CapsPlayoffs with @vogscaps after morning skate. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/uMd1Oyihrl
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2017
Barry Trotz
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media before #CapsLeafs Game 2 at Verizon Center. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/tTAxwVA6aI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
