Photo: @Capitals

After a big win over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night, the Washington Capitals boarded the plane to head to the windy city of Chicago. On Friday afternoon the team held a practice at United Center to begin preparations for their big Saturday night game against the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Here is Lars Eller, Jay Beagle and Brooks Orpik with their dads entering the arena.

Lars Eller, Jay Beagle, Brooks Orpik—and their dads—arriving at United Center for this afternoon’s practice. #Caps pic.twitter.com/pXM4dIs9TD

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) February 16, 2018

LINES

Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Chiasson-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly
Stephenson-Beagle-Smith-Pelly
Defense
Djoos-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Bowey

Scratches: Jakub Vrana (F) and Taylor Chorney (D)

NEWS
The only significant changes to the lines came on the second forward line and the third defensive pair. Alex Chiasson was on the second line with Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie. On the defensive side, Madison Bowey was back in his usual spot alongside Brooks Orpik. As mentioned yesterday, Barry Trotz wants to play every player during the Father’s Trip.

Lines are pretty much same as yesterday. Except Chiasson is in for Vrana on the second line. Bowey will play over Chorney. Dads’ trip, so everyone will play.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 16, 2018

Trotz will coach in his 1,500th NHL game Saturday night against the Blackhawks. He will be the fifth coach in NHL history to achieve that feat joining Hockey Hall of Famers Scotty Bowman (2,141 games) and Al Arbour (1,607) and current coaches Joel Quennville (1,597) of the Blackhawks and Ken Hitchcock (1,511) of the Stars.

On the other side, the Blackhawks will go with Anton Forsberg in goal. Forsberg carries a 5-11-3 record with a 3.06 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. The Capitals will most likely go with Braden Holtby.

Anton Forsberg will start tomorrow vs. Washington. #Blackhawks

— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) February 16, 2018

CAPS TODAY

CAPS TODAY: Alex Ovechkin recorded his 1,100th career point last night against the Minnesota Wild, becoming the 24th-fastest player to reach the mark. https://t.co/RRqzrf9I0s pic.twitter.com/ljeTTN0xux

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 16, 2018

SHAVINGS

• Alex Ovechkin led the Capitals with four points (1 goal, 3 assists) against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, marking his 1,100th career point (592 goals, 508 assists).
• Ovechkin became the 61st player in NHL history to reach the 1,100-point milestone, reaching the feat in his 978th career game.
• Only 23 players required fewer games to accumulate 1,100 career points, with Jaromir Jagr (825 games, played on Nov. 30, 2001) the last to hit the mark in less than 1,000 games.

CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Go behind-the-scenes with the #CapsDads in Minnesota as their boys pick up two points against the Wild. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vZxUed3gmq

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 16, 2018

There’s so much to love about this picture! The “Today in #Caps History” note:

Ron Low earns 1st shutout in team history.. Capitals beat the Kansas City Scouts, 3-0, before 14,214 at the Capital Centre.. Low finished that expansion season with an 8-36-2 record.. pic.twitter.com/30N8OiiwKF

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) February 16, 2018

Practice day in the Windy City! #CapsDads #ALLCAPS #CapsHawks pic.twitter.com/E5lYdi5NLk

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 16, 2018

Team 📸!!#CapsDads #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/0ZBAigZqRF

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 16, 2018

By Michael Marzzacco
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