The Washington Capitals held a Wednesday practice ahead of their Thursday tilt at Pepsi Center against the Colorado Avalanche (9:30 P.M. on NBCSN nationally and NBC Sports Washington locally). Here is the latest from Medstar Capitals Iceplex.
Kuznetsov Injury
Center Evgeny Kuznetsov was not on the ice this morning for practice. He missed Tuesday’s practice and remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury after a collision with New York Islanders’ center Leo Komarov in Monday’s 5-3 loss.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (upper body, day to day) not on the ice for Capitals practice today. He missed Tuesday’s practice as well.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 12, 2020
Although he will travel with the team, Kuznetsov has been ruled out of the game tomorrow night, according to head coach Todd Reirden. As of now, they have not recalled anyone meaning the Capitals are likely to travel with only 12 healthy forwards and 6 defensemen.
Reirden is hoping Kuznetsov could return on Saturday in Arizona or Monday in Vegas. It seems the injury may be short-term as he is responding to treatment well.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (upper body, day to day) will not play in Colorado on Thursday, but will travel with the team on their three-game road trip.
Reirden said the hope is that he gets in vs Arizona or Vegas.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 12, 2020
Lines & Pairs
Today’s lineup was the same from Tuesday. Centers Lars Eller bumped up to the second line and Travis Boyd drew onto the third.
Capitals lines at Wednesday practice:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Hagelin-Boyd-Panik
Leipsic-Dowd-HathawayKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-Gudas*Kuznetsov (upper body, day to day) not practicing
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 12, 2020
Fehervary Returns to the Bears
Hershey Bears defenseman Martin Ferharvary was re-assigned back to the AHL on Tuesday. He was practicing with the Bears at Giant Center this morning.
Fehervary back at Giant Center for Bears practice this morning. Nice to see him back. #HBH
— Jack Walton💜💛🐍 (@WaltonSports1) February 12, 2020
Post-practice Comments
Head Coach Todd Reirden addresses the media following today’s practice to give an update on Kuzy’s status and talk the upcoming road trip pic.twitter.com/lwExsuk7ZI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2020
Essential Links
Why Phil Esposito loves Ovechkin’s passion for goals (NBC Sports Washington)
What’s wrong with the Caps’ defense? (NBC Sports Washington)
‘Worth the price of admission’: Ovechkin made presence felt in NHL debut (NBC Sports)
CBA Talks Continue: Will the NHL Change Its Mind on Olympic Participation? (NoVa Caps)
By Della Young
Tom Wilson says he plans to meet up with old pal Andre Burakovsky tonight in COL. “I haven’t texted him yet but he better clear his schedule.” #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 12, 2020
Too many smiles and “business as usual” conduct! Caps have been EL STINKO for weeks
All seasons will have a couple rough patches, Day One. It’s part of the process. No one would watch if they won every game.
Coaches Trotz, Boudreau, Murray & Murray almost always induced their Caps to recover from a rough patch. When Todd Reirden proves that he can do this …. I’ll get with you knock back an ice cold Natty Boh!
That’s a good deal, Day One! Im In. (I have my concerns about Reirden as well, thought Trotz has out-coached so far this season).