After dropping two tough contests on the road, the Capitals come home for a big four-game Thanksgiving week homestead. Washington looks to turn things around beginning tonight as they host the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 p.m. Prior to the game the team held a morning skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
THE MORNING LINES
Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-DSP
Vrana-Eller-Wilson
Connolly-Beagle-Chiasson
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Chorney-Bowey
Holtby
NEWS
Christian Djoos wasn’t on the ice for the morning skate nor prior to the skate as he’s still recovering from an upper-body injury.
After Jakub Vrana was a healthy scratch Thursday, Trotz inserted him back into the lineup on the third line with Lars Eller and Tom Wilson. Vrana looks to step it up after his numbers dipped this month to just one point in his last seven games. Trotz wants to see his young left winger to play well, which is why he put him back in.
“I’m putting him back where he was…and I️ want to see him play really well tonight.” —Trotz on Vrana, who’s back in after a healthy scratch. #Caps #CapsWild pic.twitter.com/DUsmsd7YfU
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 18, 2017
Trotz was also asked on the status of Djoos and he wouldn’t hint on when he will be skating again. Djoos is still listed as day-to-day.
#Caps coach Barry Trotz won’t say when D Christian Djoos will skate again or if he is in concussion protocol. Monitoring him.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) November 18, 2017
Trotz also gave an update on Tyler Graovac, who was sent down to Hershey earlier this week on a long-term conditioning loan. After Graovac plays three games with the Bears, Trotz and his coaching staff will re-evaluate on if he needs a fourth game before his loan expires.
INTERVIEWS
T.J. Oshie
The #Caps will play 9 of their next 10 games at home…and T.J. Oshie is looking forward to it. pic.twitter.com/Bk8PSTrj1F
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 18, 2017
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
The Wild come into tonight’s game having won four in a row including three shutouts by Devan Dubnyk. For more on Minnesota and tonight’s game, click here for our game preview.
SHAVINGS
- Tonight is the first of two meetings between the Capitals and Wild this season. Washington went 2-0-0 against Minnesota last season.
- The Capitals are 11-8-0-1 all-time against the Wild.
- Alex Ovechkin played in his 941st NHL/Capitals game, passing Kelly Miller (940) for third on the Capitals’ all-time games played list. He is 20 games away from tying Peter Bondra (961) for second place.
- John Carlson recorded an assist against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 16 and has five points (one goal, four assists) in the last four games.
- Carlson is tied for third among NHL defensemen in assists (14) and seventh in points with 16 (two goals, 14 assists).
- Washington has won five consecutive games against Minnesota.
- The Capitals are hosting a canned food drive supported by Giant Food to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank against the Wild tonight. Fans are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item. Individuals who donate two or more items will receive a Matt Niskanen poster.
CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Ovi leads the stretch. #CapsWild pic.twitter.com/augK7kqFvr
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 18, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo