After the NHL and the Department of Player Safety dropped the hammer on Tom Wilson with a three-game suspension, the Washington Capitals will enter Game 4 with some adversity and some added motivation. The team held a morning skate at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday morning.
Morning skate time for #Caps. Let’s see how these non-Tom Wilson lines shake out for Game 4 pic.twitter.com/0RP1BonrAb
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 3, 2018
NOTES
With Tom Wilson out, that leaves a void on the first line. As the rushes took place we found out that Devante Smith-Pelly will be on the first line skating alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin.
In addition, Shane Gersich will make his playoff debut on the fourth line alongside Alex Chiasson and Jay Beagle.
.@shane_gersich9 slated to make his #StanleyCup Playoff debut tonight in Game 4. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/CDFnVFnvJP
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 3, 2018
Tom Wilson still took part in the morning skate to stay ready in case this series goes to seven games or be ready for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He was an extra forward and even though he’s suspended for three games, he’s still allowed to practice with the team.
CAPITALS LINES
Here’s how the Capitals will line up for Game 4:
Forwards
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Smith Pelly
Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-Vrana
Gersich-Beagle-Chiasson
Defense
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
BEHIND EMENY LINES
Carl Hagelin was skating at the Penguins optional morning skate in a regular jersey once again with a full shield. Mike Sullivan told the media that Hagelin will be a game-time decision tonight. Hagelin didn’t take the scratch’s skate at the end of the skate.
Crosby, Letang, Schultz, Sheary not skating this morning after taking part in optional practice yesterday.
Malkin, Kessel, Guentzel among regulars skating for Pens this morning. (They didn’t skate yesterday).
Players often given choice to skate in one of the two optionals.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 3, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
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