Photo: Capitals

The Washington Capitals held morning skate ahead of Tuesday’s tilt against the Ottawa Senators (7:00 P.M ET on NBC Sports Washington). Here is the latest from Medstar.

Capitals

Defenseman Christian Djoos, who has been out with an upper-body injury since December 28, was on the ice this morning wearing a non-contact jersey. He remains day-to-day. Monday was a scheduled day-off for the team, but Djoos skated with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish.

No changes are expected in the lineup.

Capitals expected lines vs Ottawa:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Dowd-Hathaway

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-Gudas

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 7, 2020

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov will be in net for Washington while Braden Holtby will get the start on Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Caps will go with Samsonov tonight vs. Ottawa and Holtby in Philly tomorrow, per Reirden.

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) January 7, 2020

Forward Jakub Vrana discussed his successful start to the season and earning a spot in the top six.

Young forward Jakub Vrana earning breakout season and stalwart status in the top 6. #ALLCAPS #CapsSens pic.twitter.com/jAxQewTdiq

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 7, 2020

Head coach Todd Reirden spoke to the media after morning skate.

Head Coach Todd Reirden addresses the media after #CapsSens morning skate pic.twitter.com/oG2z0hb2Ur

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 7, 2020

Senators

Forward Anthony Duclair is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. “I think Duclair looked good out there so it looks like he’ll go but I’m not 100%,” Head Coach D.J. Smith said about the injured forward on Monday. He is likely a game-time decision.

The Senators also have four players on injured reserve: defensemen Dylan DeMelo (finger), Ron Hainsey (undisclosed), and Nikita Zaitsev (lower-body); and goaltender Anders Nilsson (concussion). Smith said he’s hopeful for DeMelo to return, questionable on Hainsey, and ruled Zaitsev out.

The starting netminder is still undecided.

Pride Night

The Capitals will be hosting their fourth-consecutive Pride Night on Tuesday. Select players from the Capitals and Senators will use sticks wrapped in rainbow-color Pride Tape during pregame warmups. Fans who purchased a special Pride Night ticket will receive a Capitals pride night flag. For more information, click here.

Weekly reCAP

Essential Links

Connor McMichael Wins Gold, Brian Pinho Scores Three Goals, Garrett Pilon Heats Up – Week 16 Capitals Prospect Report (NoVa Caps)

In yet another comeback, tightknit Capitals show their resolve (Washington Post)

Garnet Hathaway Getting It Done At Both Ends Of The Rink For Capitals (NoVa Caps)

Midseason grades for all 31 NHL teams (ESPN)

By Della Young

WORLD CHAMPS🇨🇦 Thank you @HockeyCanada and all of Canada for the support!! pic.twitter.com/pykBz7tx8k

— Connor McMichael (@con91mcmichael) January 6, 2020