The Washington Capitals took the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex Tuesday morning to prepare for a big five game stretch ahead of them. Coming off the All Star break, the Caps look to remain in front of the pack in the Metropolitan Division. During the third period of the Capitals final game before the break last Thursday against the Florida Panthers, Evgeny Kuznetsov left the game with a groin injury. After a breather for the whole team for four days, the big question was whether or not Kuznetsov would be healed in time for the second half of the season.
KUZNETSOV’S INJURY THURSDAY NIGHT
Here’s a look at what happened to Kuznetsov.
Stream #CapsCats live: https://t.co/GYZM39Ms8L pic.twitter.com/ikl4BMHdK4
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 26, 2018
EVGENY KUZNETSOV UPDATE
Evgeny Kuznetsov was not only the first Capitals player on the ice, but he was also sporting the traditional red practice jersey that the top six forwards wear. He was a full go at practice.
Evgeny Kuznetsov is the first #Caps player on the ice. He’s got a red jersey on so it looks like he’ll practice. pic.twitter.com/8BBjUJ83TR
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 30, 2018
Kuznetsov looked like his normal self during this individual passing drill around the cones.
When the team-centric practice drills began, Kuznetsov was back in his usual spot on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson. Kuznetsov told reporters after practice that he’s good to go for Wednesday night.
Breathe easy, #Caps fans. Evgeny Kuznetsov says he’s good to go after last week’s injury scare in FLA. pic.twitter.com/Wt2Zm3mLXy
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 30, 2018
Barry Trotz would later confirm that he’s good to go.
Barry Trotz on Evgeny Kuznetsov: “Good to go…He’s fine. Good to go tomorrow.”
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) January 30, 2018
PRACTICE LINES
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Burakovsky-Beagle-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Vrana
Chiasson-Beagle-DSP
Djoos-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Bowey
NEWS
The Capitals had a productive practice. One special drill they had was using a ramp in front of their net to work on their puck placement on deflected shots.
Tip ramp in use this am #ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/eM177U5l0Y
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2018
Chandler Stephenson was the extra forward, sporing a red jersey and rotating on the top line with Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson. The team also held a scrimmage to get them ready for the grind ahead.
Back at it! Gangs all here. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/KjM0DwBmNG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2018
CAPS TODAY
CAPS TODAY: For the fourth-straight season, the Capitals are in first place in the Metropolitan Division immediately after the All Star break. https://t.co/cIVdgYfyq4pic.twitter.com/4wvpXJulgX
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 30, 2018
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Goalie Brian Elliott won’t play on Wednesday night against the Capitals, as he’s still recovering from a lower-body injury. The Flyers recalled Alex Lyon from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL.
Flyers announce goalie Brian Elliott has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and goalie Alex Lyon has been recalled from AHL Lehigh Valley
— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) January 30, 2018
With this roster move, it means that the Flyers will likely go with former-Capital Michael Neuvirth in Wednesday’s game.
CAPS 365
Caps 365 | After scare in Florida, @kuzya92 returns to practice before stretch of divisional games #CapsFlyers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/zyJHybVfsU
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2018
THE WEEK AHEAD
The Week Ahead presented by @mmschocolate | @Vogscaps and @waltoncaps preview this week’s #CapsPens, #CapsKnights and #CapsJackets matchups pic.twitter.com/tnGeHnTNo2
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2018
INTERVIEWS
John Carlson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Matt Niskanen on Alex Ovechkin winning the hardest shot competition in the All Star Superskills Competition
SHAVINGS
- Since Barry Trotz assumed the head coaching position in the 2014-15 season, the Capitals have held first place during the All-Star break in the Metropolitan Division in all four seasons.
- Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL with 30 goals. That marks the first time that Ovechkin has led the NHL in goals at the All-Star break in the last four seasons.
- The Capitals lead the second place Columbus Blue Jackets by six points, two points more than they led them at this time following the All-Star break last year.
CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Post practice skate with @DreamsforkidsDC and four-time Olympian Jenny Potter! #CapsCare #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/4kCIpg9FkE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2018
He delivers huge hits on the blue line, but he’s just another family man on the home front. Watch @Capitals‘ Brooks Orpik sit down with @Laughlin18 for a brand new episode of #LevelWithMe! #ALLCAPS
Full Episode: https://t.co/hBIidhzfDx pic.twitter.com/OzogfxF92T
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) January 30, 2018
Kicking off tonight’s #HockeyNheels event! Tune in to our Snapchat for a @CourtneyNBCS takeover! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/GizRaZt4VA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
