After another big win, their sixth in their last seven games, the Capitals returned to work on Thursday morning to prepare for the final home game of the season-long five-game homestand. Washington took care of the Chicago Blackhawks last night with the biggest contribution coming from the top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson. A couple of roster moves were made this morning and Andre Burakovsky put in some work as he inches closer to his return.
LINES
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NEWS
Andre Burakovsky was out on the ice early before practice started, working with the goalies.
Will we see this guy tomorrow? Burakovsky is out on the ice early working with the goalies. pic.twitter.com/4O5cc4DO5H
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) December 7, 2017
Burakovsky skated alongside Lars Eller and Brett Connolly on the third line. Alex Chiasson was still on the second line with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana.
You could say the Caps are in a goofy/happy mood at today’s practice. They keep cheering and laughing at lord knows what.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 7, 2017
Burakovsky told reporters that he will play on Friday.
Burakovsky said he’s playing tomorrow. “That’s the word on the street.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 7, 2017
“Just in practice today you could see the chemistry between us three—it’s still there.” —Andre Burakovsky on playing on a line with Lars Eller and Brett Connolly. pic.twitter.com/LESYctbY7j
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) December 7, 2017
Barry Trotz confirmed this news.
Barry Trotz confirmed that Andre Burakovsky (broken left thumb) will play for Caps tomorrow. First game since Oct. 21.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) December 7, 2017
ROSTER MOVES
The Capitals re-assigned Travis Boyd to Hershey on Thursday morning. Tyler Graovac wasn’t at practice and the Caps placed him on waivers at noon. This cleared up space for Burakovsky to return to the lineup tomorrow night.
INJURY UPDATES
T.J. Oshie wasn’t at practice today as he’s still day-to-day with an upper-body injury from the hit he took from Joe Thornton along the boards on Monday night. Trotz mentioned that Oshie is feeling better but is unsure of when he will return to practice.
Trotz said Oshie (upper-body) is feeling better, but he doesn’t know when he’ll return to practice.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) December 7, 2017
SHAVINGS
- Alex Ovechkin registered a four point (1 goal, 3 assists) game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night to power the Capitals to their sixth win in their last seven contests.
- Additionally, Ovechkin has recorded the game-winning goal in consecutive contests (Dec. 4 vs. San Jose). Wednesday’s tally marked the 98th such goal of his career, moving him into a tie with Bobby Hull and Guy Lafleur for ninth place on the NHL’s all-time game-winning goal list.
- Ovechkin’s 21st goal of the season secures his NHL lead in goals. Ovechkin has scored 21 goals in the Caps’ first 29 games of the season, tying his second-highest total through the Caps first 29 games of a season (2008-09: 21, 2013-14: 22).
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
i like walker and boyd… they didnt stick around
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Would be nice to see Graovac go to Hershey and play regularly. Boyd will be back either when there is an injury or for training camp next year. Then he will make a big push to be on the team. Seeing that Eller, Beagle, Chiasson, Carlson and Chorney are all UFA after this season there are going to once again be some open spots on the roster. Is Eller worth 4/4.5 a year, will they pay Beagle 2-3 Million a year to be the 4th line center, can the afford to pay Carlson 4-5 mila year? Will Orpik retire and thus his 5.5 mil comes off the books. Also there are several RFA they have to resign and they will also want more money Wilson, Smith-Pelly, Bowey and Grubauer not to mention several players in Hershey whose contracts are up. So Boyd will get his shot next year. Asfor Walker yes sad to see him go but cant just let a player sit all year and watch. Sad that they got nothing for him.
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