The Capitals returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex for gameday morning skate on Thursday. They will host the Boston Bruins tonight at Capital One Arena before hitting the road again for games in Buffalo and Boston this weekend. Puck drop for tonight’s tilt with the Bruins is set for just after 7:00 pm.
MORNING SKATE
Michael Kempny returned to the ice this morning. He had surgery on a torn Achilles in early October.
Very loud ovation, stick taps and yells for Michal Kempny, who stepped onto the ice after the Capitals’ morning skate. He is wearing a light blue non-contact jersey. Had surgery on his Achilles in Oct. 2020. pic.twitter.com/9op1c7aa6Z
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) April 8, 2021
The 30-year-old recorded three goals, 18 points, and a team-leading +19 rating in 58 regular-season games during the 2019-20 season after missing the first eight while recovering from core muscle surgery that occurred on April 2, 2019.
Someone just pointed this out, I can’t stop laughing. pic.twitter.com/bRI5z4i5la
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) April 8, 2021
Ilya Samsonov will start in goal tonight.
Daniel Carr will replace Daniel Sprong in the lineup tonight.
Laviolette: Ilya Samsonov will start tonight. #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 8, 2021
Laviolette said placing Panik on waivers gives the team some salary cap/roster flexibility to call up another player (Carr). He said he felt like Carr has a good skill level, they liked what he did earlier in the year for them, but has just been stuck on the taxi squad with the tight cap space.
Carr had an excellent season with Lugano in Swiss league (led team in scoring) before being recalled by the Capitals. He was signed by the Capitals shortly after Laviolette got the job with Washington. Carr used to play for Laviolette in Nashville.
NOTES
Forward Richard Panik cleared waivers at noon today. The Capitals now receive some salary cap relief. They can place Panik on the taxi squad, trade or re-assign.
#Caps loan forward Richard Panik to Taxi Squad and recall forward Daniel Carr from Taxi Squad to Caps roster.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 8, 2021
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Dmitry Orlov
“Today is a big game for both teams … we need to find ways to be better and find the energy. It’s not easy playing every second day, so we’re going to try to do our best tonight.”
Orly on the latest Rinkside Update with @VogsCaps.#CapsBruins | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/aPMMviIYxd
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 8, 2021
BOSTON
- The Capitals have had nine different goal scorers against Boston this season with Nicklas Backstrom leading the team with four points (1g, 3a).
- The Capitals enter today’s game with a record of 25-10-4 and 54 standings points, which is tied with the New York Islanders for lead in the MassMutual East Division and is tied for the fifth-most points in the NHL.
🌸𝗪🌸#ALLCAPS | @CapitalOne pic.twitter.com/YO8LFa8zZP
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 8, 2021
PENALTY KILL
- The Capitals haven’t allowed a power play goal in their last five games, stopping all 12 power-play opportunities. The Capitals 82.9 power play percentage this season ranks seventh in the NHL. That marks the highest point percentage the Capitals have had in a season since 2016-17 (83.8 penalty kill percentage).
- With an 82.6 penalty kill percentage in 2019-20, the Capitals are currently on pace to record a penalty kill percentage of at least 82 percent in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2015-16 to 2016-17.
- Washington’s 79.82 shot attempts against per 60 minutes of penalty kill time is tied for third in the NHL. In addition, Capitals have killed 11 of the 12 power play opportunities against the Bruins (91.7%) this season, the second-highest penalty kill percentage against Boston in the NHL (Rangers: 94.1%).
Committed to diversity and inclusion, the Washington Capitals are hosting a #PrideNight🏳️🌈 tonight for the fifth-consecutive year.@MSEFndn‘s auction featuring autographed player-used sticks wrapped in @PrideTape benefiting @SMYALDMV is now open!#ALLCAPShttps://t.co/gZdNICqBi5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 8, 2021
ZDENO CHARA
- Defenseman Zdeno Chara leads all Capitals defensemen with 100:27 penalty kill time. Chara’s 80.46 shot attempts against per 60 minutes of PK time per game is the third-lowest rate among defensemen with 90 minutes of PK time, while his expected 6.11 goals against per 60 minutes of PK time per game ranks 12th.
- Chara enters today’s game with nine points (2g, 7a) in 39 games. He ranks second on the Capitals in plus/minus (11), fourth in time on ice (722:06) and second in blocked shots (48).
By Jon Sorensen
Follow @nova_caps