After an off day on Tuesday, on which the #CapsDads took their little ones out on the rink, the Capitals returned to work to prepare for Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. Thursday kicks off a season-high five-game homestand for the Caps, as they look to gain some ground in the Metropolitan Division standings. Washington currently leads the wild card and only trails the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders by three points for second place in the Metropolitan division. 

PRACTICE NEWS
Devante Smith-Pelly was practicing Wednesday morning after being sent home on Monday with an illness. DSP appeared for a full-go on his usual spot on the third-line.

#Caps Devante Smith-Pelly was sent home Monday because he was sick. A day off yesterday gave him time to recover and now he’s back at practice pic.twitter.com/MLJBVXRZ9E

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

Even more exciting news, Lars Eller is back in the states! After remaining stuck in Canada after the Caps’ game in Toronto, Eller missed Monday’s practice to clear up some visa/passport issues. He was back on the ice for Wednesday’s practice.

#Caps Lars Eller is back in the states! He missed Monday’s practice while stuck in Canada due to visa/passport issues pic.twitter.com/Fkh9tXLQgf

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

Christian Djoos continued practicing with the team on Wednesday as he recovers from an upper-body injury. The Capitals made a roster move yesterday, placing Aaron Ness on waivers to clear room for Djoos back on the 23-man roster. Trotz said after practice that if Djoos is cleared and ready to go, he’ll play tomorrow night.

Trotz indicates that if Djoos is cleared and ready to go he’ll return to the lineup tomorrow vs. the #Kings.

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 29, 2017

Aaron Ness cleared waiver at noon today. He has been loaned to Hershey, opening up a roster spot for Djoos.

INJURY UPDATES
Andre Burakovsky is still recovering from his left thumb injury. While he hasn’t practiced with the team just yet, he continues to workout on the ice prior to practices.

No Burakovsky at practice today. He did, however, skate before the session. So he’s continuing to ramp up but still seems a ways away. #Caps

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 29, 2017

PRACTICE VIDEO
The Graovac-Eller-DSP line partaking in full rink work.

The Graovac-Eller-DSP line doing some full rink work #Caps pic.twitter.com/s7mhsERrej

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

Holtby stops Nicky twice. Backstrom is still searching for his first goal since October 14, but it’s bound to happen soon, now that he’s sharing a line with Alex Ovechkin again.

Nicklas Backstrom trying to get one past Holtby #Caps pic.twitter.com/UgaBbDlVVM

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

On the breakaway, Tom Wilson’s shot goes “clank” off the pipes while Backstrom just misses the net.

Tom Wilson’s shot goes “clank” off th pipe while Nicky’s just misses the net and goes to the boards pic.twitter.com/caIJyPWTe6

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

Ovi and Nicky, even though neither scored in this video, were practicing like they were in game mode. They must love being back together on the same line.

Even though nobody scores here, Ovi and Nicky both look like they’re in game mode one week in to their line reunion pic.twitter.com/2WynhCzJG0

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

The Hershey blueline chemistry in full display: Madison Bowey to Christian Djoos.

That Hershey blueline chemistry. Madison Bowey to Christian Djoos pic.twitter.com/sC0vTaDHFQ

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

Who knew Nathan Walker had a sweet one-handed backhand move?

Interesting one-hand backhand by Nathan Walker pic.twitter.com/k4SrRdiaby

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

GOAL OF THE DAY
Alex Chiasson and Tom Wilson fake out Holtby on a 2-1 breakaway.

Alex Chiasson and Tom Wilson fake out Holtby on a 2-on-1 breakaway pic.twitter.com/Qw3ty7PFQY

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

RINKSIDE UPDATE: Matt Niskanen

Rinkside Update | After a lengthy absence, Nisky is coming back to top D form. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/hLQ7fUcMZV

— #CapsFightCancer (@Capitals) November 29, 2017

THE WEEK AHEAD

The Week Ahead presented by @mmschocolate | Breaking down this week’s #CapsKings, #CapsJackets, #CapsSharks and #CapsHawks matchups pic.twitter.com/bV5D7c5jKL

— #CapsFightCancer (@Capitals) November 29, 2017

SHAVINGS

• Braden Holtby is scheduled to make his 169th career home start when the Capitals host the Kings on Thursday night.
• Since entering the league in 2010-11, Holtby ranks first among NHL goaltenders in save percentage at home (.927) and third in goals-against average (2.13) among goalies with at least 100 starts on home ice.
• Holtby’s .842 save percentage in high-danger areas ranks fifth among NHL goaltenders with at least 15 games played this season.

CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Full participation (minus Burkie) at practice this morning. Ready to roll for #CapsKings tomorrow. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/mX5KxyDPef

— #CapsFightCancer (@Capitals) November 29, 2017

The #Caps canine calendars are in! 🐶 pic.twitter.com/HBC1JDWSfv

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

This is the big time! Taping a segment for @CapitalsRadio with @WaltonCaps & @TarikNBCS is as big as it gets at #Caps practice.. pic.twitter.com/2qJKgUfbsj

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) November 29, 2017

SCENES FROM KETTLER
Greg Smith returned to Kettler Capitals Iceplex this morning. Smith was the team’s longtime head athletic trainer who retired prior to this season. Smith, or as the team likes to call him “Smitty”, spent 18 seasons with the Capitals. Below is him reuniting with Dmitry Orlov.

Hey @Smittycaps is here! pic.twitter.com/GqGVk2Ijxf

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) November 29, 2017

You can tell Jay Beagle was excited to see his former trainer as the two embraced.

Chandler Stephenson is a man of the people.

Tyler Graovac came over to sign for the fans as well.

The Capitals have a morning skate tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex prior to their game against the Los Angeles Kings at Capital One Arena that night.

By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo

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