News and Notes from Tuesday’s Capitals Practice: Andre Burakovsky is Back, Plus the Latest on T.J. Oshie

Posted on December 5, 2017 by

After defeating the Sharks last night, the Capitals returned to work on Tuesday morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex to begin preparations for Wednesday night’s game against the Blackhawks. Today was Andre Burakovsky‘s first full practice with the team. Here’s how Burakovsky did, plus more news and notes direct from the rink. 

LINES

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Vrana-Kuznetsov-Chiasson/Burakovsky
Boyd-Eller-Connolly
Stephenson/Graovac-Beagle-DSP
Orpik-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Djoos-Bowey

NEWS
After practicing with the team during yesterday’s morning skate (but not taking part in line rushes), Burakovsky was in full participation mode.

Madison Bowey, who took a two-handed slash to the wrist near the end of last night’s game was also practicing. Chandler Stephenson, who left Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury, rejoined the team for Tuesday’s practice.

Alex Chiasson slid into T.J. Oshie’s spot on the second line with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana. Burakovsky rotated with Chiasson on the second line. The fourth line is now Tyler Graovac-Jay Beagle-Devante Smith-Pelly, with Stephenson rotating with Graovac.

Stephenson told the media that he’s been cleared to play. Barry Trotz said after practice that he expects Stephenson to play and that there is a slim chance that Burakovsky could be playing tomorrow. While the chance is slim, Trotz didn’t completely rule out that possibility.

INJURY UPDATES
T.J. Oshie left the game in the second period after his face got collided along the boards by Joe Thornton. He left the game and didn’t return. Oshie didn’t practice today and according to the Caps, he’s listed as day-to-day. Trotz said after practice that Oshie is doubtful to play tomorrow.

PRACTICE VIDEO
Practice began with players skating around cones at center ice and doing individual breakaways. Then the drills shifted to 3-on-2 (three forwards vs. two defensemen). Here’s Burakovsky in the 3-on-2.

Coming towards us in the 3-on-2 drills was the Boyd-Eller-Connolly line. Travis Boyd played in his first NHL game last night. He registered one shot on goal and played in 13 shifts with an ice time of 9:10.

Then the team switched from the public rink to the Capitals Rink to continue working. First they did some full-rink.

Philipp Grubauer played awesome against the Sharks last night, stopping 24-of-25 shots and finishing with a .960 save percentage to earn the win. Here, he stops Ovechkin on a breakaway.

The next drill was one where the defensemen retrieved a puck in the neutral zone before dishing it to one of the forwards. Once Tom Wilson got the puck, he came down ice and beats Holtby.

Then it was on to special teams. Here’s the second power play unit. Jakub Vrana’s tally last night was the second unit’s first goal of the season.

Wilson was having a lot of fun this morning. Here he does his best Holby impersonation.

The forwards each did some give-n-go’s. Here are the roomies (Burakovsky and Wilson).

Burakovsky then skated to the other side of the rink to work on his shots.

Then he came back to our side and assistant coach Blaine Forsythe had him work on puck control along the boards.

From offensive work along the boards to defensive work. Burakovsky steals the puck from Boyd.

SHAVINGS

  • Alex Ovechkin scored his 20th goal of the season last night in his 28th game. It took him 41 games last season to reach the 20-goal plateau.
  • Ovechkin passed Mark Recchi (577) for 20th place on the all-time goals list. Additionally, Ovechkin’s career 578th goal came in his 949th game, 700 fewer games that Recchi, who recorded his 577th goal in his 1,649th game.
  • Per Elias Sports Bureau, that’s the second time in his career Ovechkin became the first player to reach the 20-goal mark in a single season. The last time he did it was in the 2013-14 season.

CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

SCENES FROM KETTLER

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The team gets ready for full-ice work.

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If you look closely, you could see Courtney Laughlin behind that white board taping the next episode of Caps Red Line.

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Assistant coach Todd Reirden discussing strategy.

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Burakovsky stretching at center ice while both power play units are hard at work.

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Grubauer chatting with goaltending coach Scott Murray.

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That’s a wrap from Tuesday’s practice. The Capitals will hold a morning skate tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. at Kettler before taking on the Blackhawks at 8 p.m. from Capital one Arena.

By Michael Marzzacco

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2 Responses to News and Notes from Tuesday’s Capitals Practice: Andre Burakovsky is Back, Plus the Latest on T.J. Oshie

  1. Pingback: Five Storylines Going into​ Capitals vs. Blackhawks on Wednesday Night Rivalry | NoVa Caps

  2. Pingback: News and Notes from Wednesday’s Capitals Morning Skate: Update on T.J. Oshie, Prep for Blackhawks, Plus Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov React to Russia Olympic Ban | NoVa Caps

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