The Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs were supposed to hold a practice at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis to test out the outdoor rink that will be on display to the whole world on Saturday night. Mother Nature had other ideas. Instead, the Capitals took to the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Friday morning. We have all the news and notes you need to know on Stadium Series eve. 

LINES
The lines at Friday’s practice, which could most likely be the lines for Saturday’s Stadium Series game were :

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

NEWS
Tom Wilson left in the middle of both Sunday’s practice and Thursday’s due to a maintenance issue but don’t worry Caps fans, he’s okay. Head coach Barry Trotz said after practice yesterday that it was an “irritant” and nothing serious. On Friday Wilson was on the ice. Trotz also said on Thursday that Wilson will be fine for the big game on Saturday night.

“It’s something that’s not fun but not gonna keep you out of the lineup. Burky (Andre Burakovsky) keeps telling me to suck it up. It’s just one of those things that you gotta have played the game (of hockey) to know the injury but it’s kind of a weird one and we’ll battle through it,” said Wilson.

Trotz also mentioned that it’s “pretty safe” to say that lines and defensive pairs at Friday’s practice will be the lineup he goes with tomorrow night.

“The great thing about this event is that it is special. You have your families, you get to embrace it, you get to experience it. End of the day there’s some valuable points that we have to try and get tomorrow. The tough thing is there’s going to be some players that aren’t going to be in that game that you wish everybody could experience,” said Trotz.

Yesterday, Trotz said he made his decision as to who would start in goal for the Stadium Series. Today, he made his announcement. Braden Holtby will start in goal. Holtby looks to snap a six-game winless drought. With four whole days of rest and extra practice along with the appearance of Holtby’s mentor Mitch Korn, the Capitals are counting on the Holtbeast to turn his game around.

T.J. Oshie also spoke to the media where both of his cute daughters, Lyla and Leni stole the show.

.@tjoshie77‘s daughters took full control of this #StadiumSeries interview #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/yRAhlS8b3W

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2018

After practice, Capitals players took their families out on the ice for a skate.

All the cute from today’s family skate #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/jZNQk6Di4F

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2018

The weather kept us indoors, but the the #Caps family got together for a skate anyhow. #StadiumSeries tomorrow! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/loMjXxRahG

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 2, 2018

Oshie had some fun with a kid who sported an Oshie cape, taking them flying around the ice.

When you come ready to fly, @TJOshie77 comes through with a superhero assist. #StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/I3EzAhiTqw

— NHL (@NHL) March 2, 2018

Alex Ovechkin also had a special visitor, four year old Jonas Smailys, who is the son of one of his good friends. Ovechkin dangled around him.

Just Alex Ovechkin dangling around his buddy’s little kid after practice today. Gotta give the kid credit, he didn’t back down. #Caps pic.twitter.com/6xqCwFuvPq

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 2, 2018

MEANWHILE IN ANNAPOLIS
This strong wind throughout the DMV is one of the primary reasons why the practice outdoors was cancelled today.

Mother Nature 1#StadiumSeries 0 @NBCSCapitals #Capitals #NHL #mapleleafs pic.twitter.com/UPsjGLNYBj

— steve farrell (@capsbigbossman) March 2, 2018

The NHL has warning signs up at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Friday for gusts of wind over 60 mph. #NHL https://t.co/ENrv2uYwhY pic.twitter.com/dXswAwWZ0c

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 2, 2018

SHAVINGS

• Saturday’s game will mark the first Capitals game played in Maryland since Nov. 26, 1997, the Capitals final game at U.S. Airways Arena aka Capital Centre located in Landover.
• Capitals defenseman Mark Tindori was credited with the final goal at U.S. Airways Arena with Dale Hunter and Kelly Miller assisting on the goal.
• In total, the Capitals played 919 games at U.S. Air Arena/Capital Centre.

FROM THE OTHER SIDE
The Maple Leafs held a practice of their own at McMullen Ice Arena on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Auston Matthews will not play this Saturday as he’s been out since Feb. 22 with a shoulder injury. Here is what their lines looked like:

Looks like the only lineup change for the Leafs tomorrow will be Roman Polak replacing Connor Carrick.

Projected lineup:
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
Van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Brown
Hyman-Plekanec-Nylander
Komarov-Moore-Kapanen

Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Dermott-Polak

Andersen

— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) March 2, 2018

Inside McMullen hockey rink for practice today because of the wind.. @MapleLeafs are hoping to get a morning skate outside at the Stadium tomorrow.. But most guys have played outdoor games in the snow.. They’re all excited for it.. pic.twitter.com/r74ximiOcB

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) March 2, 2018

CAPS TODAY

CAPS TODAY: When the Caps play outdoors at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, it will be the Capitals’ first game in Maryland since Nov. 26, 1997. Mike Gartner was the Capitals’ all-time leader in points at U.S. Airways Arena/USAir Arena/Capital Centre. https://t.co/ETyXLxA7PL pic.twitter.com/oST9tFV0XC

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 2, 2018

CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

First look at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Little windy today. pic.twitter.com/YFYMBP6LZS

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) March 2, 2018

Hello Kettler pic.twitter.com/rSx8GNNTdo

— Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) March 2, 2018

By Michael Marzzacco

One. More. Day. pic.twitter.com/ngK0engnNR

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 2, 2018