The Band Is Back Together: News From Capitals Saturday Practice Report

After a day off for the team on Friday, the Capitals returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Saturday for one more practice before departing for Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon. The Capitals and Penguins begin a two-game set on Sunday with puck drop scheduled for just after 3:00 pm. Here’s the latest from MedStar on Saturday.

STORYLINES

The primary storylines for Saturday morning continue to be the status of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ilya Samsonov and Justin Schultz, and if they will be ready to play against the Penguins on Sunday. Both Schultz and coach Peter Laviolette confirmed after practice that the Capitals should have all players back in the lineup for tomorrow’s game.

The Capitals made one player move Saturday morning, re-assigning Pheonix Copley from the Hershey Bears to the Capitals taxi squad.

#Caps re-assign goaltender Pheonix Copley from the Hershey Bears (AHL) to Taxi Squad

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 13, 2021

PRACTICE

Lines
Lines remained the same as Thursday.

#Caps lines on Saturday ahead of PIT:

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

Dillon-Carlson
Chara-Schultz
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-TvR

Samsonov
Vanecek

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 13, 2021

Laviolette was asked about the status of Ilya Samsonov, and if he was ready to return, or if he might head to Hershey for a game. He said there will be an announcement later today.

Power Play Units

PP1: Ovechkin, Backstrom, Carlson, Oshie and Vrana
PP2: Kuznetsov, Wilson, Eller, Orlov and Schultz

Shootout Drill
The Capitals spent time this morning working on their shootouts. Laviolette said after practice that he typically includes shootout drills in practice on a regular basis.

The poetic sound and movement of the shootout 🤌#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/WyMv0sXa0U

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 13, 2021

MEDIA SESSIONS

Evgeny Kuznetsov

Brenden Dillon

Justin Schultz

Peter Laviolette

SHAVINGS

Capitals defenseman Justin Schultz is expected to return to the Capitals lineup tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Penguins after missing four games due to injury and for the first time since Jan. 28 against the New York Islanders.
Prior to his injury, Schultz averaged 18:45 of ice time and recorded six points (2g, 4a) in eight games. In addition, he recorded three straight multi-point games (2g, 4a) from Jan. 24-28 for the first time in his career.
Schultz is currently tied with Evgeny Kuznetsov for fifth on the Capitals in points per game this season (0.75). Schultz’s 80.0 on-ice goals for percentage at even strength leads the Caps (12 on ice goals for, 3 against), and his 12 on-ice goals for are tied for third on the team.
Additionally, Schultz’s 53.7 shot attempt percentage at five-on-five (116 shot attempts for, 100 against) ranks first on the Capitals among players with at least eight games played.