The Capitals hit the ice on Wednesday to continue preparations for their big series against the Penguins. With Game 1 set for Thursday, the city is eagerly anticipating the Capitals series against the defending Stanley Cup champions. There will be an optional morning skate tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., while puck drop for Game 1 is at 7:30 p.m.
.@Capitals fans believe.
There is nothing like playoff hockey! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/3wwLX7PE3n
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 26, 2017
PRACTICE
A day away from Game 1. #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/5gZwIFcXDo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 26, 2017
Tom Wilson was on the ice for practice after leaving the ice yesterday with a minor injury. Lars Eller was present as well after taking a maintenance day yesterday. Everybody was present at Kettler including Karl Alzner although he’s still recovering from an upper-body injury. Alzner was taking rushes on the extra defensive pair with Taylor Chorney.
Highlights:
Tom Wilson is on the ice. Practicing and chatting up about how they can beat Pittsburgh #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/W68DwZElLG
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
Willy talking strategy on how to beat the Penguins.
Willy working on one-timers #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/dcZZxUlQJl
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
Wilson proceeded to work on one-timers.
2nd line action @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/cg6qYU0Owq
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
The 2nd line: starring last round’s Game 6 hero, Marcus Johansson
TJ: “hey Karl, want to learn a new trick I can do?” #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/69NLTfDU6V
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
T.J.: “Hey Karl, want to learn a new trick I can do with the puck?”
Great footwork (or skate work) by Chandler Stephenson #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/EyP5ENX6nx
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
Great footwork (or skate work) by Chandler Stephenson
Shatty and Beags 🐶 #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/mKcUgVHe7H
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
Following the conclusion of practice, Kevin Shattenkirk and Jay Beagle took some reps with the puck. On the other end, Evgeny Kuznetsov was working on face-offs.
Lines:
Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams
Wilson-Eller-Burakovsky
Winnik-Beagle-Connolly
Defense
Schmidt-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Shattenkirk
Alzner-Chorney
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Tough to accuse the Penguins of not preparing for every possible scenario. pic.twitter.com/V25hrAKWIL
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) April 26, 2017
The Penguins held a practice of their own at the UMPC Lemieux Sports Complex over in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Here, they worked on shots down low near the goal line.
Mike Sullivan has the Penguins working on crafty little along-the-wall zone entries. Guess they’ll want to go wide to attack the Caps. pic.twitter.com/hJPUmdQppk
— Bill West (@BWest_Trib) April 26, 2017
Then they worked on moving the puck along the boards.
Lines:
Forwards
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Wilson-Bonino-Sheary
Kunitz-Cullen-Kuhnhackl/Rowney
Defense
Cole-Schultz
Dumoulin-Hainsey
Maatta-Daley
Streit-Ruhwedel
Carl Hagelin. #Pens pic.twitter.com/Ww216dl7Re
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) April 26, 2017
Also making an appearance was Carl Hagelin who was wearing a yellow no-contact jersey as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury.
SCENES FROM KETTLER
These are the #Caps new playoffs tees & hats, theme is “Next Level” pic.twitter.com/smhObn3J7G
— Jill Sorenson (@JillCSN) April 26, 2017
So do we. #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/TiaoWv0WYt
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 26, 2017
SHAVINGS
- This marks the 10th time these teams have met in the playoffs.
- The Capitals 10 postseason series against the Penguins is their most against a team in franchise playoff history.
- Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has recorded 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 13 career playoff games against Pittsburgh and he led the Capitals with seven points (two goals, five assists) in six games against the Penguins last postseason.
DAILY LINKS
Caps Fans Prepare to #RockTheRed in Round 2 of 2017 Playoffs (Washington Capitals)
Capitals Report with Mike Vogel and John Walton (Washington Capitals)
Flashback: Before the Capitals, and the birth of the Cap Centre (Neal Augenstein/WTOP)
This Caps and Penguins series might be a classic. It shouldn’t be happening in the second round. (Dan Steinberg/DC Sports Bog)
T.J. Oshie scores in buckets against the Penguins. Caps hope he keeps it up. (Jesse Dougherty/Washington Post)
3 Reasons to Worry About the Pittsburgh Penguins (J.J. Regan/CSN)
3 Reasons to be Optimistic the Caps will Get Past the Penguins (Tarik El-Bashir/CSN)
Tuesday was #WorldPenguinDay.
But with the Pens coming to town to play the #Caps, @JenksCSN was having none of it. https://t.co/qELKpWzd0s pic.twitter.com/TteZecFI5l
— CSN Mid-Atlantic (@CSNMA) April 26, 2017
INTERVIEWS
Nicklas Backstrom
#Caps center Nicklas Backstrom talks with the media after Wedensday’s practice as the team is a day away from Game 1. #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/Jkx2DWT6KO
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 26, 2017
T.J. Oshie
Rinkside Update | TJ Oshie is excited for the #CapsPens Round 2 rematch. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/PpTrVQrPvo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 26, 2017
ALL CAPS
ALL CAPS | 7 of 8 centermen returning from last year’s #CapsPens series. Caps look to take advantage of that familiarity. #RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/Zytc3rx5HM
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 26, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
