News and Notes from Monday’s Capitals Optional Practice at Kettler: Updates on Jay Beagle and T.J. Oshie, Barry Trotz Makes Goaltending Decision

Posted on April 9, 2018 by
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The Washington Capitals are ready for the playoff grind ahead. It’s been a rough past but beginning on Monday morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex the team began preparations for a new opportunity and another kick at the can. The rink was busy as numerous players were interviewed by local TV and radio outlets. Barry Trotz held an optional practice for those wanting to put in extra work on their game. Here are all the news and notes as playoff season officially kicks off. 

NEWS
T.J. Oshie was not on the ice for the optional skate. He sat out in two of the last three games with a nagging lower-body injury of some sort but in his radio interview on Elliot in the Morning, Oshie said that he’s good to go in the playoffs:

“They just let me rest up a little bit. Everyone has some nagging things at this point in the season, and mine were worth letting rest. I feel good. I’m ready to jump back on the ice.”

Jay Beagle, who’s been out the last three games with an upper-body injury, wasn’t on the ice either. He did tell the Sports Junkies last week that he was planning to skate, though today was an optional anyway. Beagle did however take the ice at the end of the optional. He skated alone with assistant coach Lane Lambert. Head coach Barry Trotz said that he isn’t sure if Beagle will practice tomorrow with the full squad out on the ice.

We all know the hot topic, who will start in goal for Game 1 on Thursday night? Both Philipp Grubauer and Braden Holtby said that they haven’t been told yet who would start. Trotz told the media that his decision has been made on who will start Game 1 but didn’t tell reporters or his players who it would be. Who would you pick if you were coach Trotz? Be sure to cast your vote here.

ATTENDANCE
Forwards
Nicklas Backstrom, Andre Burakovsky, Alex Chiasson, Brett Connolly, Lars Eller, Shane Gersich, Brian Pinho, Devante Smith-Pelly, Chandler Stephenson, Jakub Vrana.

Defense
Madison Bowey, Christian Djoos, Jakub Jerabek, Michal Kempny, Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik

Goalies
Braden Holtby, Philipp Grubauer

ABSENT
The players that didn’t participate in the optional:

Forwards
Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie (lower-body), Tom Wilson, Jay Beagle (upper-body), Travis Boyd (sick)

Defense
Dmitry Orlov, John Carlson

SHAVINGS

  • This first round playoff series will mark the first time the Capitals and the Blue Jackets have met in a playoff series.
  • The Capitals won the regular season series agains the Blue Jackets, posting a 3-1-0 record.
  • Barry Trotz has a playoff record 39-50 all-time including 20-19 during his time coaching the Capitals.

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By Michael Marzzacco

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3 Responses to News and Notes from Monday’s Capitals Optional Practice at Kettler: Updates on Jay Beagle and T.J. Oshie, Barry Trotz Makes Goaltending Decision

  1. Pingback: News and Notes from Tuesday’s Capitals Practice at Kettler: T.J. Oshie and Travis Boyd Updates and Both Goaltenders React to Trotz’s Decision | NoVa Caps

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