Last night, the Capitals’ four game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Islanders. The loss put them in a tie with them for second place in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals look to bounce back tonight at home as they host the Colorado Avalanche. Things did not go well the last time these two teams met and the Caps look to have a much better showing tonight. On Tuesday morning, the Capitals held an optional skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
ATTENDANCE
Forwards
Jakub Vrana, Alex Chiasson, Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky
Defense
Christian Djoos, Madison Bowey, Taylor Chorney
Goalies
Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer
INJURY UPDATES
T.J. Oshie is still day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He skated with his teammates that were on the ice for the optional skate. Oshie was sporting a green jersey and was the first skater on the ice. A green jersey doesn’t quite signify non-contact. Non-contact jerseys are light blue but today was an optional skate and not a full practice. To read more on how Oshie looked during the optional skate, including some extra video, click here.
T.J. Oshie is the first player out on the ice before the #Caps optional skate. He’s taking a twirl before the rest of the players come out pic.twitter.com/YyPlEMunoP
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
MORNING SKATE VIDEO
After Oshie took a twirl around the ice, Madison Bowey, Jakub Vrana, Chandler Stephenson and both goalies came out on the ice before the skate began at 11 a.m.
Other players that came on early before the 11 am optional skate include Madison Bowey, Chandler Stephenson and both goalies pic.twitter.com/QjxXzTkY5Y
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
Jakub Vrana playing catch with Philipp Grubauer along the boards.
Jakub Vrana playing catch with Philipp Grubauer along the boards pic.twitter.com/b3HnM6S7qJ
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
Oshie working on deflections.
Oshie deflections pic.twitter.com/eC9G6svBV5
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
2-on-1 drills.
2-on-1’s pic.twitter.com/0PBjCpMS46
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
The defensemen working on slapshots.
The defense pic.twitter.com/ZWjff6tg5s
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
Forwards on the other end working on shooting of the own.
Forwards on the other side pic.twitter.com/aDvB6JabbA
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
“WOO!”- Oshie.
Oshie is fired up… “WOO!” pic.twitter.com/FSChG2rXpJ
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 12, 2017
NEWS
The Capitals have a day off tomorrow making it unlikely that Oshie suits up during the Caps game on Thursday night in Boston. Oshie needs a full practice with the team before he gets cleared to play.
It is unclear who gets the start in goal tonight for the Capitals. Braden Holtby was pulled in the second period last night after he allowed three goals to the Islanders. Philipp Grubauer was perfect in his relief appearance, stopping all 17 shots he faced.
Barry Trotz will speak to the media at 5 p.m. prior to the game. He will announce who will start in net at that time and potentially give an update on Oshie’s timetable.
Update: When Trotz talked to the media, he confirmed that Holtby will get the start tonight. Oshie meanwhile won’t travel with the team to Boston but will practice on Friday, making it likely that he will play on Saturday against Anaheim.
Oshie will not travel with the team to Boston. So, he’s out for that game, too. Trotz anticipates him practicing with the team on Friday.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) December 12, 2017
SHAVINGS
- The Capitals are 41-31-9-1 all-time against the Avalanche and 22-13-4-1 at Capital One Arena.
- Dmitry Orlov scored a goal last night against the Islanders extending his point streak to four games (1 goal, 3 assists), the longest active point streak on the Capitals and one game shy of Nicklas Backstrom’s season record of five-straight games with a point (Oct. 7-Oct. 1: 3 goals, 8 assists).
- Philipp Grubauer stopped all 17 shots he faced in 35:13 minutes of relief action last night against the Islanders, including five shots on the penalty kill.
- This year, Washington is 6-5-0 in back-to-back games and the Capitals have won three of their last five games in back-to-back situations. In total, the Caps have 14 sets of back-to-back games this year.
- Chandler Stephenson recorded a primary assist on Dmitry Orlov’s goal against the New York Islanders last night, marking his second straight game with an assist.
- Over the last 11 games, the Capitals are 8-3-0, one of four teams with eight wins in their last 11 efforts (Los Angles Kings: 9 wins, Boston Bruins and the Vegas Golden Knights: 8 wins).
- The Capitals have won six of their last seven games against the Avalanche.
- Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in five of his last seven games against Colorado (5 goals, 3 assists) and has tallied 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 15 career games against the Avalanche.
CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
.@TJOshie77 sighting at optional morning skate. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/693xZbc78S
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 12, 2017
Holts going through his starting routine for tonight. #CapsAvs pic.twitter.com/Nkt2tfwJON
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 12, 2017
SCENES FROM KETTLER
Oshie gets a shot off.
Oshie through the glass, waiting for the whistle on a post-practice conditioning skate.
Team stretch. That’s a wrap from Kettler. Puck drop at Capital One Arena tonight is at 7 p.m.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @maswaggo
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