The Washington Capitals practiced on Monday morning in preparations for their game against the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night at 7:30 PM. Action from Capital One Arena can be seen on NBC Sports Washington or NBCSN for those outside of the DMV. Here are all of the news from Monday’s practice:
Forward T.J. Oshie suited up in full contact for practice after missing the past 11 games with a concussion. He was hit in the head by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey in the Jets’ 3-1 win over the Capitals on November 14. He practiced on the top power-play unit. Oshie skated on the top line with captain Alex Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom.
Oshie said he’s “hoping” to play tomorrow against Detroit. Said he passed all the tests to be on the ice today and has been hoping to play for weeks now.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 10, 2018
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) December 10, 2018
Forward Tom Wilson and defenseman Brooks Orpik have not resumed skating yet. Wilson has missed the past two games with a concussion after getting hit in the head by Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves in the Golden Knights’ 5-3 win over the Capitals last Tuesday. Orpik has missed the past 19 games with a knee injury. He underwent surgery on his right leg on November 20 and is currently on long-term injured reserve. Head coach Todd Reirden told reporters after practice that Wilson did an off-ice workout today and that he hopes that he’ll resume skating later this week. He also said that Orpik’s making progress, despite not getting on the ice yet.
No Wilson or Orpik (knee) for Capitals practice https://t.co/t976px4BrH
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) December 10, 2018
Forward Andre Burakovsky was the odd man out in line rushes, meaning that he will likely be scratched against the Red Wings. Despite posting three goals in his past 11 games, he has four points in that span and his -5 rating is tied with forward Devante Smith-Pelly for the third worst on the team only in front of center Lars Eller and forward Chandler Stephenson. Each has a -8 rating.
Capitals Lines
Caps practice lines:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Oshie
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Connolly
Stephenson-Eller-DSP
Boyd-Dowd-JaskinKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Djoos-BoweySiegenthaler
Burakovsky did not take rushes.
Oshie was with the first team PP.— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 10, 2018
Shavings
-The Capitals have won nine of their past 11 games
-The Capitals are 8-1-1 in their past 10 home games against the Red Wings
-Ovechkin is currently on an 11-game point streak, where he’s tallied 10 goals and 16 points in that span; he leads the Capitals with 36 points and the league with 22 goals
-Defenseman Michal Kempny‘s +18 rating is tied for fourth in the NHL with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh
-Forward Jakub Vrana‘s nine even-strength goals are second on the team behind Ovechkin’s 15
-The Capitals’ 3.62 goals-per-game average ranks third in the NHL
-Center Travis Boyd has one goal and three points in his past two games
By Harrison Brown
Welcome back, Osh Babe!
Caps’ Third Line guys are taking a beating this season. So is the Caps’ third defensive pairing. How do Caps fix this? Maybe Gin and Tonic will work
Was just discussing third line. Stephenson did better in 4th line, but that line is on fire right now. Mix up the kids on the backend, is my solution for third pair. Reirden likes to pair the inexperience and limit use, but I think teams still find ways to exploit.
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Without overlooking his shortcomings the feeling I get is that Andre Burakovsky’s always going to be the odd man out on this team. Personally I’d like to see him traded to a club that believes in him enough to play him with line mates that complement him.
Clifford