Left-handed defenseman Dennis Cholowski, whom the Washington Capitals claimed off of waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, will arrive in Washington later on Friday, according to head coach Peter Laviolette. The 23-year-old will participate in Saturday’s morning skate prior to the team’s game against the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington) at Capital One Arena.
“A young player, first-round pick, good size to him, good skating mobility,” Laviolette said of Cholowski. “Just an opportunity to have him become part of our organization and see where he fits in. We’re excited to get him here.”
On his former teammate when he was with the Detroit Red Wings, defenseman Nick Jensen said Cholowski is “Poised with the puck. Sees the ice really well. Good puck mover in all zones, D zone, neutral zone, offensive zone. He knows where he’s going with the puck at all times. He’s never guessing, never making ‘hope’ plays.”
The Capitals decided to go with the same lineup in practice as they iced during Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers:
Capitals lines during Friday’s practice:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Mantha-Eller-Sprong
Sheary-Lapierre-Oshie
Hagelin-Dowd-HathawayFehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
TvR-Schultz— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) October 15, 2021
Laviolette praised goaltender Vitek Vanecek’s showing on Wednesday where he made 23 saves and Ilya Samsonov’s effort in practice over the past two days of practice but did not name a starter for Saturday’s game against the Lightning.
CAPS TODAY: Following a three assist opening night, Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded his 292nd career assist and is aiming to become the 12th player in franchise history to reach the 300-assist milestone. More info on Kuznetsov and #Caps Clips at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/C5AWwTlzfB
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 15, 2021
The Capitals’ game against the Lightning tomorrow night will be their first game against a team not Boston, Buffalo, New Jersey, NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh since their first game in the round robin in the return to play — Aug. 3, 2020 vs Tampa Bay. The Capitals and Lightning last played each other in the regular season on Dec. 21, 2019 in DC (3-1 Capitals win).
The Capitals are looking to continue good play from special teams into tomorrow night; plus hear from former (and now current again) teammates of new defenseman Dennis Cholowski on what to expect from him.#ALLCAPS | @PedigreeUS pic.twitter.com/yf6alKpuaQ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 15, 2021
NHL News:
– Boston Bruins signed RHD Charlie McAvoy to eight-year contract extension ($9.5 million cap hit)
– Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will have a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Friday for roughing Tampa Bay Lightning right-wing Mathieu Joseph
By Harrison Brown
Let Sammy have a try on Saturday. I don’t think they need to have a definite starter / backup tandem, just let them both play a lot of games.
Mark,
I disagree. Let’s keep moving forward with the momentum and confidence from Wednesday night. Keep things the way they are for Saturday. Vitek obviously earned his spot in the crease on Wednesday and deserves to defend the net on Saturday. Give Sammy the nod on Tuesday. This switching back and forth nonsense is getting old! Time to name a definite starter…which I believe should be Vitek for many reasons!
Win and you’re in. Lose and the other guy is in.
Agree to disagree. I just think the Caps really don’t need to name a definitive starter yet. Maybe into the 2nd half of the year and definitely the playoffs, but it’s so early and their is no rush in my opinion.
‘there’ is no rush…pfft
Agree, we don’t want to leave Sammy sitting on the shelf for too long.
I’d give him Saturday or Tuesday.
Yes dont want tolet him sit tolong but VV did a great job the other night and should get the nod here. And let sammy play on the 21st at NJ.To arly in the season to let VV sit for more than 2/3 days. He has earned the #1spot and let him play it.