Photo: @Capitals
It was another packed house at Kettler Capitals Iceplex as many fans and players showed up for an optional skate. 21 players participated while only six didn’t. If you couldn’t make it out to the rink in Arlington on Friday morning, NoVa Caps has you covered. The Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights continue the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday night with Game 3.
Capitals fans once again came out in droves to support their team.
Look at this crowd for a #Caps optional practice at Kettler! #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/OdLh9VTZzC
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
ATTENDANCE
Forwards
Jay Beagle, Travis Boyd, Andre Burakovsky, Alex Chiasson, Brett Connolly, Lars Eller, Shane Gersich, Evgeny Kuznetsov (day-to-day, upper-body), Devante Smith-Pelly, Chandler Stephenson, Jakub Vrana, Nathan Walker, Tom Wilson
Defense
Madison Bowey, Christian Djoos, Jakub Jerabek, Michal Kempny, Matt Niskanen
Goalies
Braden Holtby, Philipp Grubauer, Pheonix Copley
ABSENT
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie
Defense
John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov, Brooks Orpik
SCENES FROM THE RINK
Evgeny Kuznetsov, who left the first period of Game 2 after a hit along the boards from Brayden McNabb, fully practiced and participated in the drills.
Evgeny Kuznetsov is on the ice for the optional skate #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/D0OLkcm3PK
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Kuznetsov looked good at practice. What was different was that he didn’t have his left hand on his stick when he received passes.
Kuznetsov is fully participating in the drills #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/aUFH8ggRYl
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Despite that, he seemed to be okay out there. Head coach Barry Trotz said that he’s still “day-to-day” but will be a “game-time decision”. He hasn’t been medically cleared yet.
Kuznetsov dishing the puck out, controlling the puck and going in for a shot. He’s looking good out there #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/3o5dX0f8Dg
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Braden Holtby picking up where he left off from “the save”.
Holtby stopping everything in his sight #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Xv8ZPSGTpA
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Alex Tuch can’t figure out Braden Holtby, but Brett Connolly can.
Connolly scores on Holtby #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Fxjoo2GBSd
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Tom Wilson trying to go fancy on Holtby.
Willy trying to get fancy on Holtby #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/H3WKPIN837
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Pheonix Copley had some reps against the big boys. Here he is against Tom Wilson.
Copley must be dizzy from all those times Wilson is skating in circles #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/KAhfGlMVva
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Jakub Vrana cam.
Jakub Vrana cam #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/4ezJrYJH2o
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Finally it was time to stretch and wrap up practice. Listen to this crowd!
“Let’s go Caps!” Chants broke out during stretching #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/drSu85nRvO
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
As Copley and some of the forward scratches took their skate at the end, some of the lights went out above the bleachers.
First it was the Super Bowl five years ago and now the #StanleyCup, some power has gone out at Kettler but the scratches are still hard at work #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/pfMsWMg4NR
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
HOLTBY APPRECIATION CLUB
High school students have finals too and one wants the Holtbeast to save her grades!
Hey Holtby, Hockey isn’t the only thing that’s in the middle of finals! #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/rBTVIrV6e7
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
Mitch Korn, Holtby’s mentor, must be proud of how he’s performed this postseason.
Mitch Korn is in the building. We would’ve loved to have seen his reaction of “the save”. #ALLCAPS#StanleyCuppic.twitter.com/2fPuuAbmmD
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 1, 2018
SKATE SHAVINGS
Barry Trotz: “I know our fans are stoked…” He later said 14,000 people at Cap One Arena to watch the game was “gnarly” and that he hoped to “catch some waves” later today. I made those last two up. He did say stoked though.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) June 1, 2018
By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo
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