Photo: @Capitals
The Washington Capitals held morning skate ahead of Tuesday’s clash against the Los Angeles Kings (7 P.M. ET on NBC Sports Washington). Here is the latest from Medstar Capitals Iceplex.
Fehervary Recall
This morning, the team announced that defenseman Martin Fehervary was recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. There are no defensemen injuries, but the team wants to see how he looks after half of the season with the Bears.
Reirden: “As we get closer to the trade deadline, taking inventory where our players are at and it’s a good time to do it.” https://t.co/b2ZWOzk4rP
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 4, 2020
Martin Fehérváry on his #ALLCAPS call up pic.twitter.com/4ZiUwLHMc6
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 4, 2020
Fehervary will step in for Jonas Siegenthaler on the third pair with Radko Gudas, according to head coach Todd Reirden.
Capitals expected lines vs Kings:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Dowd-HathawayKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Fehervary-Gudas*Fehervary in for Siegenthaler
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 4, 2020
Samsonov Injury
Rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov left the morning skate with trainers after getting hit in the head from a high shot by captain Alex Ovechkin. Samsonov was removed and did not return for precautionary reasons. Reirden said he will be checked by doctors before tonight’s backup is decided.
Bears netminder Vitek Vanecek will be recalled in advance. Braden Holtby will start for Washington tonight.
It was a blow to the head for Samsonov, Reirden said. He will be checked by doctors before a decision on tonight’s backup is made. #Caps https://t.co/sgb3fm6GZE
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 4, 2020
Here’s what @KgriggsPhoto caught on video of Samsonov’s close shave. HC Todd Reirden says he took the Ovechkin shot, “to the head.”
Samsonov was taken off as a precaution, get checked by doctors. Vitek Vanacek will be recalled to backup in case Samsonov isn’t cleared #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/FeFhfV2qqf
— Chip Brierre (@Chip_Brierre) February 4, 2020
Game #941 for #19
Backstrom will only trail Alex Ovechkin (1,137), Calle Johansson (983) and Peter Bondra (961) on the franchise games played list.
CAPS TODAY: Nicklas Backstrom is expected to play in his 941st game tonight, which passes Kelly Miller (940) for the fourth-most games played in franchise history. More info on Backstrom and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/DGQgLzDhLA
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 4, 2020
Weekly reCAP
Top five plays from a busy week of hockey:
5⃣ No need to Panik
4⃣ Tiger x2
3⃣ #8 for #8
2⃣ Snake sneaks one through
1⃣ Movin’ on up
[@MercedesBenzUSA] pic.twitter.com/y73tvOBLAL— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 4, 2020
Essential Links
Where’s Travis Boyd? Examining Why The Capital Forward Can’t Crack The Lineup (NoVa Caps)
The hits keep coming: The Capitals’ Jonas Siegenthaler wants to be more physical (WaPo)
Capitals’ Prospect Connor McMichael Named OHL’s ‘On The Run’ Player Of The Week (NoVa Caps)
Capital Value: How Is Every Player On The Capitals Living Up To Their Contract? (NoVa Caps)
By Della Young
January’s Plays of the Month presented by @Wawa! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/VGlPl3sgyq
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 3, 2020
Fehervary in for Siegenthaler 🤔
It is a little odd. Maybe it’s just a checkup to see what they have going into the playoffs. Or maybe they’re just trying to keep Siggy fresh with all that PK time he’s clocking. Either way I’m excited – that kid can skate.
Hope they’re not thinking of moving Siegs – he’s really stepped up.