After dropping another heartbreaker in overtime, the Capitals (well, some of them) returned to the ice on Tuesday for an optional practice at Mastercard Centre – the Maple Leafs’ practice facility. The Caps look to turn it around Wednesday night in Game 4. Puck drop from Air Canada Centre is at 7 PM.
PRACTICE
Even though practice was initially slated to start at 12:30, players started coming on the ice a half hour early. The goalies came out first to work with goaltending coach Mitch Korn. Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer each faced shots from Nate Schmidt, Paul Carey and Taylor Chorney. Kevin Shattenkirk and Tom Wilson came on the ice shortly after and would later be joined by Daniel Winnik and Andre Burakovksy.
Karl Alzner, who sat out last night for the first time since April 26, 2010, didn’t practice and head coach Barry Trotz confirmed that Alzner will be out for Game 4.
Last night, Alex Ovechkin‘s total ice time was 15:08, his career low during the playoffs. That was what was listed on Hockey Reference as reported by Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post, but it could be off by a little bit.
Know what’s fun? Rewatching Ovi’s shifts from last night and realizing the off-ice officials had him down for less than he actually skated.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 18, 2017
Democracy dies in darkness, y’all. I will discover Ovechkin’s actual ice time last night eventually.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 18, 2017
Trotz took some responsibility for the lack of ice time for the team captain, but appeared a bit surprised by the low total.
“That’s on me to get him the ice time. Sometimes, that’s situational. Sometimes, that’s the zone starts. His minutes should be… I can get those up. Sometimes, you have a bump-up line; you’re killing penalty killers’ minutes and that’s Backstrom and Oshie. You sort of miss a rep or two here or there, but it wasn’t based on play,” Trotz explained. “I thought Ovi was playing terrific, and it’s on me to get him a little more ice time, no question.”
SHAVINGS
- Justin Williams earned an assist on Monday at Toronto, extending his point streak to three games this series (two goals, two assists).
- Dating back to last postseason, Williams has recorded a point in seven consecutive playoff games (five goals, four assists).
- Nicklas Backstrom scored a goal in Game 3, passing Dino Ciccarelli (21) for fourth place on the Capitals playoff goals list.
DAILY LINKS
Leafs Overcome Caps in OT to Take Series Lead (Mike Vogel)
INTERVIEWS
Barry Trotz
Coach Trotz talks after today’s practice in Toronto. #CapsLeafs pic.twitter.com/w15caI6zOE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 18, 2017
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
Donate $100 thru #SoKidsCan at https://t.co/Y4nJo0j3Zc for puck signed by @KarlAlzner@backstrom19 or @Holts170! Benefits @MarthasTableorg. pic.twitter.com/GucC3TEijr
— MSE Foundation (@MSEFndn) April 18, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
