It was back to work for the Capitals on Friday, the morning after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Kings on home ice. Despite the loss, center Evgeny Kuznetsov played a great game, scoring two goals and the return of defenseman Christian Djoos is a big positive for the Capitals blueline. The Capitals now shift their focus to tomorrow night’s key Metropolitan Division game against the first-place Columbus Blue Jackets. Here are the news and the updates from Friday. 

NEWS
The biggest news to come out of Washington Friday was the Edmonton Oilers claiming Nathan Walker off waivers. The Caps’ initial plan was to have Walker work on his game in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, once he cleared waivers. That plan backfired.

EDM claims Nathan Walker

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 1, 2017

“Teams are going to get an opportunity to look at him, that’s what waivers are for. Walker is not in our four (lines), so he needs to play. He’s not getting any better (by not playing),.. hopefully he gets some consistent opportunity in Edmonton.” Trotz told the media after practice.

#Caps Coach Barry Trotz discusses Nathan Walker being claimed off waivers by the #Oilers on Friday. pic.twitter.com/TamkQ3fILD

— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) December 1, 2017

INJURY UPDATES
Forward Andre Burakovsky continued his rehab this morning, skating prior to practice, as he recovers from a left-thumb injury he suffered back in October.

Andre Burakovsky (thumb) skating on his own again this morning. Camp Nemo seems like a truly miserable experience. (Mean no offense to Mark Nemish, who of course is doing his job well)

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 1, 2017

Trotz said that Burakovsky is able to shake hands again.

Trotz said Burakovsky is able to shake hands again. So, he’s making progress, I guess?

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 1, 2017

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CAPITALS ROSTER
Washington placed two players on waivers this week. It’s likely that the Capitals will have to keep making tweaks to the roster now that Djoos has returned from an upper-body injury and Burakovsky is expected to return sometime in the next couple weeks. When Burakovsky is healthy, the Capitals will be out of long-term injured reserve salary cap relief due to the return of his $3 million cap hit.

With Walker waived, the Capitals have to clear another $90,000 in salary cap space. It’s highly likely another forward will be waived or re-assigned to Hershey once Burakovsky returns to action. Jakub Vrana and Madison Bowey are waiver-exempt.

MEANWHILE IN HERSHEY
The Bears begin their three-game weekend slate of games tonight on the road against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Defenseman Aaron Ness has rejoined the team after clearing waivers on Wednesday.

Ahead of tonight’s game, the Bears re-assigned defenseman Kris Bindulis to the Capitals’ ECHL affiliate, South Carolina Stingrays. Bindulis made his AHL debut on October 22 and will get more playing time than he would’ve gotten in Hershey now that the Bears’ blueline is filled with veterans.

The Bears round out the weekend with home games against the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins on Sunday at 5 p.m. Sunday’s game is the annual “Teddy Bear Toss”.

RINKSIDE UPDATE: Alex Chiasson

Rinkside Update | Alex Chiasson on faster starts and tighter details making a difference. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/37xs0JLi4s

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 1, 2017

SHAVINGS

• Evgeny Kuznetsov scored two goals, his seventh and eighth of the season, last night against the Los Angeles Kings. Kuznetsov’s two-goal effort marked his second multi-goal game the season and the eighth time he has recorded at least two points in a game this year.
• Kuznetsov leads the team with 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) this season and is tied for 13th in the NHL in points.
• Kuznetsov’s 20 assists are tied for seventh in the NHL.

By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo

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