News and Notes from Sunday’s Capitals Practice at Kettler: Father’s Day in February

Posted on February 25, 2018 by
DW5ugP1W4AI4x5x.jpg-largePhoto:@NBCSCapitals

The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. But the Washington Capitals were hard at work inside Kettler Capitals Iceplex on this rainy Sunday morning. They were preparing for a back-to-back stretch after a huge win on Saturday night over the Sabres. First they’ll hit the road to Columbus on Monday night before coming back home Tuesday night to take on the Ottawa Senators. 

LINES

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

NEWS
A couple of interesting changes here. Jakub Vrana, who was scratched from the game last night was rotating with Tom Wilson on the top line. Wilson left the ice with a trainer and didn’t come back until the team finished stretching and began working on individual shooting. He skated around for a bit.

Capitals head coach Barry Trotz told the media that Wilson left the ice for a maintenance issue but he’s okay and will play tomorrow night.

There were some changes on the defensive pairs. New Cap Michal Kemny was paired with John Carlson on the second pair. Christian Djoos moved to the third pair, skating alongside Brooks Orpik.

Jakub Jerabek was skating with Madison Bowey as two extras. Trotz said that Jerabek won’t make his debut tomorrow night due to some visa stuff still being worked through.

On the Blue Jackets side, Taylor Chorney will make his Columbus debut against his former team tomorrow after he was picked up on waivers this past Wednesday.

PRACTICE
Assistant coach Lane Lambert drilling the forwards.

Philipp Grubauer looked good at practice today. His confidence looks like it has been soaring. Last night he stopped 28-of-29 shots, good for a .966 save percentage. Per NBC Sports Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir, Grubauer is 7-2-2 since Nov. 24 with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage.

Chandler Stephenson and Dmitry Orlov battling for the puck in half-rink five-on-five’s.

After a couple of drills, the team scrimmaged briefly. Here’s Lars Eller and Andre Burakovsky changing their jerseys from white to red.

The team did a full rink five-on-five scrimmage for a couple of whistles. Nobody scored.

Then it was on to special teams. Here’s the newest member of the penalty kill unit, Michal Kempny.

Alex Ovechkin juggling the puck while the second power play unit and penalty kill unit was at work on the other side of the rink. Ovechkin scored two goals last night against the Sabres and needs four more goals till 600.

Andre Burakovsky has been heating up lately. After just four goals in his first 25 games played, he’s scored four goals in his last seven games.

After the forwards worked on their shots, they had some more fun with the iconic tire.

Jakub Vrana getting in on the fun.

T.J. Oshie is tired of his 12-game goalless drought.

CAPS TODAY

SHAVINGS

  • Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded four points (1 goal, 3 assists) against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, his 14th multi-point game of the season and his fifth game with at least three assists.
  • Kuznetsov has recorded at least three assists in a game 10 times in his career, which is tied for the sixth most in the NHL since the 2013-14 season.
  •  Kuznetsov’s 171 career assists rank sixth among players selected in the 2010 draft and his 1.94 assists per 60 minutes at five-on-five ranks first among 2010 draftees with at least four NHL games played.

PAPA BEAGLE
At the end of practice, Jay Beagle took his two sons out to the ice. Here’s Jay’s older son Brandt getting a puck through Grubauer, something that other teams have struggled with lately.

And here’s the little brother passing the puck to his big brother.

By Michael Marzzacco

This entry was posted in Daily Report, News, Washington Capitals and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

7 Responses to News and Notes from Sunday’s Capitals Practice at Kettler: Father’s Day in February

  1. Michael Marzzacco says:
    February 25, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    The tire drill is my favorite drill

    Reply
  2. Diane Doyle says:
    February 25, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Beaglets on ice, I see. So will we hear the name Beagle on a US World Junior team in about 19 years. Or in Olympic hockey?

    Reply

  3. Pingback: Michal Kempny Adjusts to Life With the Capitals | NoVa Caps

  4. Theresa Dawson says:
    February 25, 2018 at 9:37 pm

    FYI: Beagle doesn’t have a daughter, he has two sons.

    Reply

  5. Pingback: News and Notes from Friday’s Capitals Practice at Kettler: Barry Trotz Reveals his Decision for Who Starts in Goal for Stadium Series | NoVa Caps

  6. Pingback: Will this Finally be a “Goodyear” to Beat Pittsburgh in the Playoffs? | NoVa Caps

Leave a Reply