After back-to-back contests against the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, respectively, on their West Coast tilt, the Washington Capitals enjoyed a two-day respite before taking on the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
“Not easy, we already forget how play from the long flights but I think we did a good job and I think we have two good games and got points, especially when guys come out of the lineup and new guys from Hershey came but I think everybody do a good job and adjust their game and play better and better every game and that’s why we’re winning”, defenseman Dmitry Orlov told the media on Friday.
Orlov, who has seven points (two goals) in 17 Games Played this season, has played with fellow countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov since 2013-14 and has seen firsthand, Kuznetsov’s resurgent play this season.
“Everybody know how he can skate, how he can place the puck and what he can do. And he’s bring it this season every game, and that’s huge for us, especially Nicky’s out, and he’s right now number one centerman on our team, and I think he’s one of best players in the league when he’s playing his best game. Hope he is gonna stay healthy and build his confidence game-by-game and it’s gonna help us in a long way. When you play good, you’re more happier, you know where is your game, and probably I would say you get more focused and you look at your body and try to recover because you play a lot of minutes, it’s not easy. For sure, he’s looked good this season. Last season maybe wasn’t great, but he’s responded the right way and he show his skill and how professional he is on the ice”.
Rookie Centerman Aliaksei Protas has played in six games for the Capitals this season, one of a number of young players to suit up for the team this season. Orlov offered his assessment of the youngster.
“I think the last two games he really played good and he get confidence. He seemed to get kind of shy a little bit and not confidence in plays the puck. But the last two games for sure he’s able to play. It good last year he played in the KHL little bit, for national team, the American. But here it’s different speed so probably its most things to adapt to smaller rink, have to make decisions quicker and I think he did good job for the last two games and I hope he’s gonna feel comfortable. Every player on our team right now, it’s a big part and we need to play good because it’s a long season and you never know what going to happen so more young guys going to have more comfortable, it’s going to be big for us”.
The Capitals take on the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night at 10:30 PM EST.
“It’s not easy, but I think everybody did a good job and adjust their game and play better and better every game so much. That’s why we’re winning.”
Dmitry Orlov discusses entering the third of three sets of back-to-backs on the road this month. #ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/8mAxaYl7yC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 19, 2021
