The Washington Capitals are on a mission to bring the series back to the District on Wednesday night. Prior to tonight’s Game 6, the Capitals held a morning skate at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is 7:30 pm.
Previously on the Stanley Cup playoffs…
Do or Die. Win or go home.
Whichever cliché you please – Washington got it done in Game 5.
One down. Two more to go.#CapsPens#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/wBiTcyEMHw— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 7, 2017
MORNING SKATE
Once again, Alex Ovechkin came onto the ice in a white jersey, indicating he will remain on the third line for the second straight game. Andre Burakovsky was on the top line. For the third straight game, Washington will go with seven defensemen. The Capitals lines for tonight:
Forwards
Burakovsky-Backstrom-Oshie
Johansson-Kuznetsov-Williams
Ovechkin-Eller-Wilson
Winnik-Beagle
Defense
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Schmidt-Shattenkirk
Alzner
FROM THE OTHER SIDE:
Trevor Daley, who left Game 5 with a lower body injury after a collision with Tom Wilson, wasn’t on the ice for Pittsburgh’s morning skate and won’t play tonight. Chad Ruhwedel could be filling in for Daley. Brian Dumoulin wasn’t on the ice neither.
The ‘HBK’ line has reunited.
#Pens shaking up the trios at morning skate. HBK (Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel) appears reunited. pic.twitter.com/Jpv4YxFYGU
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) May 8, 2017
Pens lines
Forwards
Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel
Defense
Kunitz-Cullen
Wilson-Kuhnhackl
Rosters and stats for game 6 are here:
GAME LINKS:
Caps Seek to Rewrite Last Year’s Script in Game 6
The Afternoon Narrative: Pens’ Lines and D, Mr. Game 6 and Past as Prologue (J.P./Japers’ Rink)
How Evgeny Kuznetsov Emerged From His 2016 Struggles to Become a Leader For The Caps (J.J. Regan)
Caps Today and Top Game Notes, 5/8/17
How the Capitals can force Game 7 against the Penguins (USA Today)
RINKSIDE UPDATE:
Mike Vogel chats with Marcus Johansson for today’s Rinkside Update.
Rinkside Update | Marcus Johansson was the hero of last series’ Game 6. Will he do it again? #RocktheRed pic.twitter.com/v59XkXGXF7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 8, 2017
SHAVINGS:
- The Capitals are 13-15 all-time in Game 6’s, 9-10 on the road, and 6-7 when trailing 3-2. (Ted Starkey)
- Since making his playoff debut in 2007-08, Ovechkin has scored five or more goals in the postseason seven times, ranking first in the league.
- Saturday’s game marked the 10th time in franchise history Washington has won a playoff game when it trailed entering the third period.
COACHES QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Trotz: “Our past is what it is. We can’t change it. What we can do is change our future. I think we’ve changed our mindset on that…”
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 8, 2017
Trotz continued: “…You don’t have to tell us what the past is; we already know. We’re only focusing on this game.” #CapsPens
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) May 8, 2017
FAN PIC OF THE DAY:
The @Capitals need a HUUUGE W to bring it back to @verizoncenterpr & close out the series.. These two are ready!! | #CapsPens #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/KQ52Dehb58
— Sean Halpin (@SeanathanVT) May 8, 2017
FAN POLL:
“Confident” about tonight’s game? Ha! I am:
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 8, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
