News and Notes from Tuesday’s Capitals Optional Skate at Kettler: There’s a New Defenseman in Town

Photo: @Capitals

After a much-needed win over the Buffalo Sabres to wrap up the four game road trip, the Washington Capitals head back home for a brief stop. On Tuesday night at Capital One Arena, the Caps will take on Nikita Kucherov and the Eastern Conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to the game, the team held an optional skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

ATTENDANCE
Forwards
Brett Connolly, Alex Chiasson, Tom Wilson, Andre Burakovsky, Jakub Vrana, Chandler Stephenson

Defense
Christian Djoos, Madison Bowey, Michal Kempny

Goalies
Braden Holtby, Philipp Grubauer

NEWS
Michal Kempny, who was traded to the Capitals from the Blackhawks for a 2018 third round pick on Monday, took the ice at Kettler for the first time donning his new Capitals uniform.

Taylor Chorney, who has been scratched numerous times throughout the season wasn’t on the ice for the optional. Chorney was placed on waivers at noon. Kempny took part in the extras skate with Alex Chiasson and would later confirm to reporters that he will not play tonight. Kempny arrived in DC at midnight and told reporters that he needs to settle down a bit. He expects to play in Florida on Thursday night.

This matchup will put the beasts of the east up against the Holtbeast. After Philipp Grubauer got the start in goal yesterday, the Capitals will turn to Braden Holtby to start the back end of the back-to-back. Coming off a game where he allowed six goals, Holtby looks for a strong bounce back game. He’s had yet to face the Lightning until tonight but he does carry a 9-2-2 lifetime record vs. the Bolts. Holtby was in the starter’s net and was also the first off the ice indicating he will get the start tonight.

GAME NOTES

CAPS TODAY

MORNING SKATE VIDEO

2-on-1 drills with Alex Chiasson and Chandler Stephenson vs. Kempny.

Kempny taking slapshots with Christian Djoos and Madison Bowey.

Jakub Vrana working on his shot on the forwards side of the ice.

SHAVINGS

The Capitals are 78-31-6-9 all-time against the Lightning and 43-11-4-4 vs. the Bolts at Capital One Arena.
On Monday, the Capitals acquired defenseman Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a third round pick in the 2018 NHL draft. Kempny recorded seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 31 games with the Blackhawks this season.
John Carlson recorded a goal and an assist against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday for his 46th and 47th point of the season. His 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists) rank third among NHL defenseman and his 36 assists are tied for third.
Alex Ovechkin has earned 84 points (42 goals, 42 assists) in 65 career games against the Lightning, marking the third-most points he has earned against an NHL franchise.
Ovechkin’s 42 goals and 84 points against Tampa Ba are ranked first in NHL history against Tampa Bay.
Ovechkin has earned 21 points in his last 15 games against Tampa Bay (14 goals, 7 assists).
Nicklas Backstrom has registered 44 assists against the Lightning, the most assists he has against a single franchise.
The top line of Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Tom Wilson has recorded a combined 16 goals.

MEANWHILE IN ANNAPOLIS…
Rink construction has begun at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Outdoor hockey is getting closer!

By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo