Capitals Morning Skate News: Injuries Pile Up In The Mile High City

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Harrison Brown
pepsi.jpgPhoto: @Capitals

The Washington Capitals held a morning skate at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on late Friday morning in preparations for their game against the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Puck drop from Pepsi Center will take place at 9 PM Eastern on NBC Sports Washington+. Here are all of the news from today’s morning skate in the Mile High City: 

Forwards T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov and goaltender Braden Holtby are each day-to-day with upper-body injuries and none of them will suit up against the Avalanche tonight. Goaltender Pheonix Copley will make his third consecutive start in Colorado.

With the injury to Holtby, the team recalled goaltender Ilya Samsonov from the AHL’s Hershey Bears but assigned defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler to Hershey to accommodate Samsonov. Samsonov, 21, arrived late to the morning skate trying to get to Denver. The team’s goaltending coach Scott Murray dressed as the second goalie until Samsonov arrived.

With Oshie and Kuznetsov both out tonight against Colorado,​ forwards Tom Wilson and Lars Eller took their spots on the Capitals’ first power-play unit.

Holtby caught up with ex-backup Philipp Grubauer, who the Capitals traded to the Avalanche on June 23, prior to the morning skate. Grubauer will start against the Capitals tonight.

Capitals Lines at Avalanche

Shavings

-Since appearing against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 19, Copley has posted a record of 3-1-0 with a 2.08 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in five games played; During that span, Copley posted a career-best four-game point streak and ranks 10th in the NHL in goals-against average, 13th in save percentage and eighth in even strength save percentage (.949); Copley’s .873 high-danger save percentage is eighth-best among goaltenders that have played at least 300 minutes this season

-the Capitals have won seven of their last eight games against the Avalanche

-After scoring in the first period against the Jets, forward Jakub Vrana has four first-period goals, which lead the Capitals

-Captain Alex Ovechkin recorded nine shots on goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, marking an individual season high and a team-high this season

-Ovechkin has scored a goal in five of his last eight games against Colorado (five goals, eight points) and has tallied 11 points (six goals) in 16 career games against the Avalanche

-Center Nicklas Backstrom has recorded seven points (two goals) in his last seven games; Backstrom leads the Capitals in assists this season (16) and is tied for eighth in the NHL

Game Notes

Caps Today

 

By Harrison Brown

About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077
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1 Response to Capitals Morning Skate News: Injuries Pile Up In The Mile High City

  1. Pingback: Capitals Kids Photo Shoot! John Carlson’s, Nicklas Backstrom’s, T.J. Oshie’s, and Mike Green’s Kids Pose For Adorable Photos | NoVa Caps

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