Photo:@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.
Lane Lambert conducting the drills #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/QospI8UOiA
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
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.
Philipp Grubauer continues to stop everything in his path #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/swQBs41WDK
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
Chandler Stephenson and Dmitry Orlov battling for the puck in half-rink five-on-five’s.
Chandler Stephenson vs. Dmitry Orlov battling for the puck in 5-on-5’s #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/iXXGdqJP7e
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
After a couple of drills, the team scrimmaged briefly. Here’s Lars Eller and Andre Burakovsky changing their jerseys from white to red.
Lars Eller and Andre Burakovsky have changed their jerseys from white to red. A scrimmage is coming up! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Pgmt5BGfME
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
The team did a full rink five-on-five scrimmage for a couple of whistles. Nobody scored.
5-on-5 full ice scrimmaging #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/WVkFMqDZsm
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
Then it was on to special teams. Here’s the newest member of the penalty kill unit, Michal Kempny.
A closer look at the newest member of the top penalty killing unit: Michal Kempny #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/acxae0JEuP
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
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.
Alex Ovechkin is a man on a mission. Will he get goal #600 this week? After two goals last night he needs just four more #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/uMr5fDTB7s
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
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.
This man, Andre Burakovsky has been on 🔥lately. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/D25G40hNul
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
After the forwards worked on their shots, they had some more fun with the iconic tire.
Will 2018 be a Goodyear? #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/QgJArTYFMB
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
Jakub Vrana getting in on the fun.
Jakub Vrana loves the tire! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/5oKnW7sDQg
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
T.J. Oshie is tired of his 12-game goalless drought.
TJ Oshie getting in on the tire fun #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ExOJ9xK1mu
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
CAPS TODAY
CAPS TODAY: Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded his 14th multi-point game of the season last night against the Buffalo Sabres. https://t.co/0fVMDRd3Gu pic.twitter.com/tgGeTtj63u
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 25, 2018
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.
Nobody can stop Grubauer except for Brandt Beagle #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/8YgO6BKQpG
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 25, 2018
And here’s the little brother passing the puck to his big brother.
Jay Beagle doesn’t have Twitter, but he sure does love to play hockey with his kiddos after @Capitals practice. pic.twitter.com/OVOF53yhv0
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 25, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
The tire drill is my favorite drill
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?
He is such a good guy with kids. His, or anybody’s 🙂
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FYI: Beagle doesn’t have a daughter, he has two sons.
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