Photo: @Capitals
Wednesday was day 3 of the Capitals summer training camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The Capitals will have the day off tomorrow (Thursday) before returning to work on Friday for day 4 of camp. The team will depart for Toronto on July 26 and play their lone preseason game on July 29 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals open the 2020 playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning on August 3 at 4:00 PM ET.
PRACTICE SESSIONS
Alex Alexeyev and Ilya Samsonov missed Wednesday’s training camp practice. Both have yet to participate in training camp.
Ilya Samsonov and Alex Alexeyev will not participate today, per the team. Neither have skated since camp opened on Monday.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) July 15, 2020
Shane Gersich, who missed yesterday’s practice, was back on the ice today.
A little 3-on-3 at Capitals practice: Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Orlov vs. Backstrom-Hathaway-Carlson. Ovechkin wins the draw from Backstrom and Kuznetsov eventually scores. pic.twitter.com/Wt9GYvYG9U
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 15, 2020
Connor McMichael
Capitals head coach Todd Reirden was asked about potentially using last year’s first round draft pick in the playoffs.
When asked if Connor McMichael could fill in for Eller when he leaves in the bubble in early August, Reirden said if the team didn’t think McMichael was an option, he would not be considered to go to Toronto.
(Narrator: He’s probably most likely going to Toronto)
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) July 15, 2020
McMichael held his media session following practice on Wednesday. “It’s a really cool experience,” McMichael said of joining the Capitals for training camp, adding that he is happy to be with the team even as a black ace and will be ready to go in case another player will not be able to suit up for battle. (More here).
“This is a tremendous opportunity for someone like Connor. It’s something that’s well deserved.”
After an outstanding OHL season, @con91mcmichael is looking to prove himself as a black ace for the Caps playoff run. pic.twitter.com/d7l5MNyAP6
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 15, 2020
Ilya Kovalchuk
Kovalchuk sat for an interview following day 3 of training camp.
Kovy on how he took on the break: “I have four kids at home, so it’s easy for me. I gotta keep them busy and I want to lead by example, so we’re doing something every day…no days off for our family.”
Watch the full presser below.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Bfbuy5Q5VR
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 15, 2020
T.J. Oshie
On life inside the bubble in Toronto, he said, “honestly, I don’t really know.” He is not sure what he will do inside the bubble, but there will be a “lot of time on facetime” with family. He is hopeful he will be able to hang out with his teammates in the rooms. He “feel(s) like a kid again” with being in a hotel for a long time with teammates. Oshie said it will feel “different, but I’ll adjust” and that the Capitals always find ways to have fun.
“Timing is going to be the most difficult thing. … It’ll be hard transitioning into [Stanley Cup Playoff hockey],” Oshie thought. (More here)
SHAVINGS
- Nicklas Backstrom enters the 2019-20 playoffs ranked first on the franchise’s playoff assist list (70) and second in games played (123), goals (36) and points (106). His four playoff overtime goals are the most in franchise history, and no other player has more than two.
684 🍎’s and counting for assist king @backstrom19 👑 #ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/5n77Z4E0yw https://t.co/R6MfVgVG9K
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) July 15, 2020
- Backstrom is one of just four active players with at least four playoff overtime goals (Patrick Kane: 5; Corey Perry and Patrick Marleau: 4). Additionally, Backstrom’s 0.57 assists per game rate is tied for third among players entering the 2019-20 playoffs with at least 100 games played (Sidney Crosby: 0.73; Evgeni Malkin: 0.65; Kane: 0.57).
- Since his first season in 2007-08, Backstrom’s 684 assists rank first in the NHL. With 42 assists in 61 games this year, Backstrom was on pace to finish with 50 assists before the season was suspended. Had he reached the mark, he would have become the 19th player in NHL history to record seven consecutive 50-assist seasons.
- Of the 18 players to achieve this feat, 16 are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The two that are not – Henrik Sedin and Joe Thornton – are not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Nope. No fun. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/twjGYIcpEm
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 15, 2020
Jack Adams Award finalists were announced on Wednesday.
Calder Memorial Trophy Award finalists were also announced on Wednesday.
By Jon Sorensen
