After a well deserved day off on Saturday the Capitals returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Sunday for their gameday morning skate. Following the workout Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette met with the media to discuss tonight’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Laviolette confirmed that Vitek Vanecek will get the start in goal tonight. Vanecek is 3-2-3 with a 2.51 GAA and a .906 save percentage so far this season. Tristan Jarry is expected to get the start for the Penguins. The lines at morning skate:

Capitals lines at morning skate:

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Sheary-McMichael-Sprong
AJF-Eller-Hathaway
Hagelin-Protas-Leason

Fehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
TvR-Schultz

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) November 14, 2021

In injury news, Nic Dowd skated this morning, likely indicating he is closer to his return. He was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a lower body injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

Nic Dowd is on the ice this morning. He was placed on IR last week.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) November 14, 2021

The Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Capital One Arena on Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Game. The Caps enter tonight’s game at 8-2-4 and in the second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Head coach Peter Laviolette after today’s morning skate.#CapsPens | @socios pic.twitter.com/LWpMJOIb3D

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 14, 2021

Caps forward Evgeny Kuznetsov has recorded 18 points (5g, 13a) in 14 games this season, which is tied for sixth in the NHL. Since entering the NHL on March 10, 2014, Kuznetsov ranks third in the NHL in assists per 60 minutes of play (1.54) among skaters with at least 400 games played during that span (Connor McDavid: 1.86; Artemi Panarin: 1.64).

“We’re working as a team. And that’s pretty cool to see when stuff happens and there’s adversity and your team finds a way to keep pushing forward.”

Tom Wilson talks Ovi’s hot start to the season and overcoming injuries in the lineup.#CapsPens | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/UYXfXScaFS

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 14, 2021

Individually at five-on-five, Kuznetsov has created 25 scoring chances, which are tied for the fourth-most on the Capitals (Alex Ovechkin: 39; Connor McMichael: 29; Daniel Sprong: 26; Garnet Hathaway: 25).

By Jon Sorensen