The Washington Capitals held their gameday morning skate at 10:30 this morning at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The team finalized preparations for their first game of a two-game set with the Boston Bruins, which begins tonight. Washington holds a record of 16-2-0 in their last 18 games against Boston, outscoring the Bruins 60-33 during that span. Puck drop tonight is set for 7:07 p.m.

The main story lines of the morning were the status of center Lars Eller, who sat out the last game against the Islanders with an upper body injury, and the status of Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov, who remain on the league’s COVID-19-related absences list.

MORNING LINES

Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov returned this morning. Their status for tonight’s game is a game time decision. Lars Eller practiced in a blue non-contact jersey, meaning he will not play tonight.

Ovechkin and Orlov both on ice for #Caps this morning ahead of the morning skate. Eller also on ice, but in light blue non-contact sweater.

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) January 30, 2021

Justin Schultz, who took a puck up high late in third period of Thu. game vs. Isles did not practice this morning. Laviolette said both Eller and Schultz are listed as day to day.

Alex Ovechkin last played on Jan. 19. with no practices since then. If he does play tonight vs BOS that would mean he would only have skated with the team once (this morning) after spending 10 days off the ice while on the covid-19 list.

Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov were on the COVID list since Jan. 20.

👀 @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/smOI6Gt6F7

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2021

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov remain out of the lineup. Laviolette said the two remain in quarantine.

Office hours have resume led for ⁦@ovi8⁩ pic.twitter.com/ppoOmhTnRe

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 30, 2021

Lines and Defensive Pairs

Capitals lines at morning skate

Vrana-Backstrom-Wilson
Ovechkin-Oshie-Panik
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway
Sheary-Sgarbossa-Sprong

Chara-Carlson
Dillon-TvR
Siegenthaler-Jensen

Orlov-Fehervary

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 30, 2021

Vitek Vanecek was in the starters net for this morning’s skate and looks to get the start tonight vs. Boston.

It looks like Dmitry Orlov will sit out tonight’s game versus the Bruins.

Capitals power play units this AM

PP1: Ovechkin, Carlson, Backstrom, Oshie and Vrana
PP2: Chara, Wilson, Sgarbossa, Sprong and Panik

MEDIA SESSIONS
Alex Ovechkin

Caps captain Alex Ovechkin talks with the media after returning to practice on Saturday.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/NNy6C2ohQC

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2021

SHAVINGS

• Game Notes
• The Capitals are 5-0-3 through their first eight games of the season, marking the first time in franchise history the Capitals have recorded at least a point in their opening eight games.
• The Capitals’ 30 goals are the tied for the third-most in the NHL, while their 23 goals scored during five-on-five play rank second.
• The Capitals have only trailed for 46:15 minutes in their eight combined games, the second-lowest total in the NHL among teams with at least five games played (Montreal Canadiens: trailed for 26:34 in seven games).
• The Capitals and the Dallas Stars are the only teams in the NHL that have won each game when they trail after the first period (Washington: 1-0-0) and have never trailed a game after the end of the second period.
• Washington’s 10 first period goals are tied with the Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets for first in the NHL.

By Jon Sorensen

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