Photo: Washington Capitals
The Capitals held an optional skate today to get ready for Game 1 tonight against the Penguins. The optional skate was well attended as even Alex Ovechkin was present. Karl Alzner is still recovering from an undisclosed upper body injury and is ruled out for tonight. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM.
Thank you, Lyla! #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/nqDHvpSAsQ
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) April 29, 2016
MORNING SKATE
There were 16 players that participated in the optional skate including Alex Ovechkin and Karl Alzner. Other players that were marked present were both goalies, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Andre Burakovsky, Lars Eller, Tom Wilson, Daniel Winnik, Brett Connolly, Paul Carey, Chandler Stephenson, Nate Schmidt, Brooks Orpik, Kevin Shattenkirk, Karl Alzner, and Taylor Chorney.
Alzner was paired with Chorney and took the scratches’ skate. Stephenson and Carey were also doing conditioning work. Barry Trotz told the media after practice that tonight’s lineup will be the same as it was in Game 6 in Toronto.
Highlights:
Andre Burakovsky working on slapshots with his linemates. Caps held a well attended optional. #CapsPens Game 1 is tonight @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/1XaPUVAt5d
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 27, 2017
Burakovsky and his fellow linemates worked on slapshots.
A Shatty goal #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/udcAVGjjWi
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 27, 2017
A Shattenkirk goal.
These guys look like they’re having a lot of fun. Gotta get loose before #CapsPens Game 1 @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/sekODlZsOZ
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 27, 2017
Schmidt, Shattenkirk, and the other blue liners were having fun after practice before the real work begins tonight.
Alzner getting some extra work in #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/MBX21zFgnZ
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 27, 2017
Alzner getting some extra work in. He is officially ruled out for tonight’s game. When Alzner was asked by reporters what it’s been like sitting out, he replied, “I hate watching games. Ask Taylor Chorney. We’re just losing it up there. It’s tough to be a spectator, but at the same time it doesn’t really matter if we’re winning games. I’d sit out the rest of the playoffs if we can win the Cup. That’s fine with me.”
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Let @MedStarHealth morning skate begin. #RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/BtpM8zJOTg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 27, 2017
Game 1 Ready. #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/oc16EfBYKo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 27, 2017
Brooks Orpik, a man of the people #CapsPens @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/fbXQxgtoAI
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) April 27, 2017
SHAVINGS
- Through last night, home teams are 19-25 in home games of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. (Jill Sorenson)
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 13 career playoff games against Pittsburgh.
- Braden Holtby stopped 37 of 38 shots in Game 6 at Toronto (4/23), tying his 10th-most saves in a game in his playoff career.
- Ovechkin ranks tied for first among active players in career playoff goals per game (0.49) and tied for eighth in career playoff points per game (9.94).
- Nicklas Backstrom has tallied six points (two goals, four assists) in six games this postseason and ranks tied for eighth in the NHL in points.
- T.J. Oshie leads the Capitals and ranks tied for fourth in the NHL with seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games this postseason.
- This postseason marks the second consecutive season the Capitals and Penguins are meeting in the Eastern Conference semifinals and the 10th postseason meeting between the teams all-time.
DAILY LINKS
Game Notes vs. Pittsburgh, 4/27/17 (Capitals PR)
Bears Drop Heartbreaker in OT after Officiating Error Costs Hershey a Goal – Series Goes to Game 4 Saturday
The Day Has Come: Capitals-Penguins
Keys to Victory: What Will the Capitals Need to Do to Defeat the Penguins?
Rink Roundtable: On to the Second Round (Japers’ Rink)
Caps Embrace Rematch with Pens (Mike Vogel)
Secondary scoring could be the Capitals’ ticket to playoff redemption (Ben Raby/Washington Post Express)
ESPN just gutted its hockey coverage in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs (Dan Steinberg/DC Sports Bog)
With later start times in second round, Metro could be an issue for Caps fans (Scott Allen/DC Sports Bog)
INTERVIEWS
Braden Holtby
#Caps goalie Braden Holtby talks to the media prior to tonight’s Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/78J56NIR9Q
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 27, 2017
Marcus Johansson
On #Caps Practice Live, we asked @mjohansson90 about playing the Penguins so early in Round 2.. His attitude — Why not now!! #CapsPenguins pic.twitter.com/jHs35NhI6K
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinCSN) April 27, 2017
Rinkside Update: Tom Wilson
Rinkside Update | @tom_wilso previews tonight’s Game 1 tilt vs. Pittsburgh. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/RxfmncjJvn
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 27, 2017
Nate Schmidt
“Put your pants on folks, and be ready for Thursday.”@CourtneyCSN caught up with @Nateschmidt29 ahead of #CapsPens Game 1 tonight. pic.twitter.com/B38wk6tPtz
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) April 27, 2017
Barry Trotz
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media before #CapsPens Game 1 at Verizon Center. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/6AwVtLGw9r
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 27, 2017
CAPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY
Great Hockey School today at Stewart Weller ES in Ashburn, VA. Everyone was rocking the red & ready for tonight! #CapsPens#RocktheRedpic.twitter.com/f0NC8BqMEL
— Caps Youth Hockey (@CapsYouthHockey) April 27, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
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