Photo: @Capitals
The Washington Capitals will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third year in a row. This series for the Capitals will be their biggest one to date. Will the third time be the charm for the boys in red? Will the fourth time be the charm for Alex Ovechkin? To prepare for this big series, the Capitals hit the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday morning. Here’s everything you need to know.
Let’s take a quick look at the first practice on Round Two. #ALLCAPS https://t.co/Oy8vu4MFeG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 25, 2018
Once again, T.J Oshie wasn’t at practice. Since the morning skate prior to Game 3, Oshie hasn’t taken part in either a practice or a morning skate. Maybe he just needs rest from the grind of game action. Maybe some minor injury is nagging him. Or maybe he’s just at home playing with his adorable daughters. Whatever the case may be, unless Barry Trotz says otherwise, he should be okay to play for Game 1.
Travis Boyd was the placeholder for Oshie on the second line alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Chandler Stephenson. Other than that there were no changes to the lines.
CAPS LINES
Caps today:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Stephenson-Backstrom-Boyd
Connolly-Eller-DSP
Vrana/Gersich-Beagle-ChiassonOrlov-Niskanen
Kempny-Carlson
Orpik-DjoosJerabek-Bowey
Holtby
Grubauer
Copley— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) April 25, 2018
After those lines began rushing, Jakub Vrana and Boyd traded places. Vrana became the placeholder for the second line and Boyd moved over to rotate on the fourth line.
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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