Photo: @Capitals

The clock was ticking and Braden Holtby was pulled for an extra attacker as the Washington Capitals were trailing the New York Rangers 2-1 on Wednesday night. With a minute and five seconds left Nicklas Backstrom quickly fed the puck from behind the net to Lars Eller, who buried it in to tie the game and get the crowd on their feet. The game shifted to overtime and 38 second in, Evgeny Kuznetsov won it. Victory from the jaws of defeat. Just nearly 13 hours later from that incredible comeback win, the Capitals returned to Capital One Arena to take a team photo and hold a closed practice. Despite Thursday’s practice not being open to the general public, we’ve got you covered with all that happened. 

NEWS
The Capitals will clinch a playoff berth tonight if any of the four scenarios happen: The Panthers losing to the Senators in any fashion or if Florida defeats Ottawa in a shootout, the Devils lose to the Penguins in any fashion, or the Blue Jackets lose to the Flames in any fashion.

Pheonix Copley was sent back to Hershey as Philipp Grubauer is expected to be healthy for Friday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Copley has had two stints in the Caps lineup over the last two weeks, first with Holtby having a tweak in his lower-body and then this week with Grubauer having a minor tweak. Speaking of Hershey, we may be seeing Travis Boyd again soon. Boyd’s family is at a hotel in Washington and Trotz said that Boyd will play with Hershey this weekend before coming back up to the big club.

After the Caps took their team photo, they went straight to work. Brooks Orpik didn’t practice with the team, taking a maintenance day. Despite the day off from practice, Orpik is not expected to miss any playing time. There were no changes to the top six forwards but a few changes to the bottom-six. Jakub Vrana and Devante Smith-Pelly were paired on the third line with Lars Eller while Chandler Stephenson and Brett Connolly were paired with Jay Beagle on the fourth line.

Capitals owner and founder and chairman of Monumental Sports  and Entertainment, Ted Leonsis also spoke to reporters. He said something interesting about Alex Ovechkin’s contract 13-year 124 million dollar contract that was signed a decade ago, saying he regrets the deal not being 15-years and that former NBA commissioner David Stern has called him and told him he would regret it. Ovechkin still has three more years left on his deal before Leonsis has to worry about an extension. Leonsis hopes the Capitals can win a championship this year or within his contract time.

Leonsis on Ovechkin contract: “David Stern called me and said, ‘Boy, you are going to live to regret this.’ He said, I think it was, ‘I thought you were a smart guy and that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.'”

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 29, 2018

#Caps owner Ted Leonsis: “What we’re playing for is to win a championship and I’m hoping we do it this year. I’m hoping we do it within his contract time.” Alex Ovechkin is signed through 2020-21 season.

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 29, 2018

Leonsis has also noted how happy he is with the way both goalies have played lately. Video comes from Tarik El-Bashir of NBC Sports Washington:

“I’m happy with the way both our goaltenders have started to play now…” — #Caps owner Ted Leonsis on his team’s playoff expectations and the role goaltending figures to play. pic.twitter.com/RcIqKEWzVB

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 29, 2018

Practice wrapped up with the Capitals singing Happy Birthday to Tom Wilson, who turned 24 today, before shoving a birthday cake in his face.

🎂🎉 Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, @tom_wilso – Happy Birthday to you! 🎂🎉 🤣 pic.twitter.com/DyQ7AxKE98

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 29, 2018

PICTURE DAY!

#Caps taking their team picture with front office and support staff ahead of today’s practice at Capital One Arena. pic.twitter.com/KteKoaLYev

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 29, 2018

Back of #Caps team photo pic.twitter.com/Re9aupjTF5

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 29, 2018

SHAVINGS

• Lars Eller’s game-tying goal was his 18th goal of the season, a season-high.
• Eller’s goal came with 1:05 left in regulation which marked the third time this season the Capitals have tied a game with less than two minutes remaining (T.J. Oshie at 18:59 on Oct. 20 at Detroit, and Nicklas Backstrom at 19:43 on Feb. 11 vs. Detroit).
• Evgeny Kuznetsov also set a season-high in goals with his 25th of the season as he scored the game-winning goal in overtime. He also recorded his 77th point which tied his single-season high that was set in the 2015-16 season.

INTERVIEWS

“If I take the time back, I would sign for 16 years.” — Alex Ovechkin reflecting on the 13-year, $124 million extension he signed in 2008. The #Caps’ captain is on track to become the first player in franchise history to skate in 1,000 games on Sunday vs. the Penguins. pic.twitter.com/QlYExCl1fe

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 29, 2018

CAPS TODAY

CAPS TODAY: The Capitals tied the New York Rangers with 1:05 remaining in the third period, the third time this season they’ve tied a game with less than two minutes left in regulation. https://t.co/kkeb27lupR pic.twitter.com/AqbKINh4IZ

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 29, 2018

CAPITALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

ICYMI: Not much in the way of news, but here’s @TSNBobMcKenzie on @NBCSN last night talking about John Carlson’s contract situation.. As we all kinda know, #Caps are solely focused on playoffs right now.. Contracts are for off-season.. But $7-8 million is the number.. pic.twitter.com/A69AP7kIPk

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) March 29, 2018

It’s no surprise.. #Caps have been much better lately.. And it’s come at the same time TJ Oshie has found his rhythm..

As @MayHockeyNBCS said last night, “He’s got clear space in his coconut”.. He seems healthy now! He’s back to making winning plays.. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/J017elSQdy

— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) March 29, 2018

“I saw no one coming and decided to shoot for the first time in the game.” – @Kuzya92 on his OT game winner for the @Capitals. #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/97tYqSrzEM

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 29, 2018

So @purplefi & I did a thing! Thanks to @NBCSCapitals for having us and to @RobCarlinNBCS and @MayHockeyNBCS for letting us steal their seats for a few minutes.
Best. Day. Ever.
Let’s Go Caps! pic.twitter.com/XHkkWjVewa

— Tracy Ramone (@tracyramone) March 28, 2018

SCENES FROM PRACTICE

Downtown practice today! #Caps getting ready for the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. #CapsCanes #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/S9kt2gjUzW

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 29, 2018

Happy Birthday, @tom_wilso! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/dAPsnpLnqo

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 29, 2018

By Michael Marzzacco