After a couple of days off following their 4-3 shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, the Washington Capitals returned to work on Thursday to begin preparations for their tilt with the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night at Capital One Arena.

COVID-19 continues to be an issue for the team, as goaltending coach Scott Murray missed the practice due to COVID-19 protocol. Assistant coach Kevin McCarthy was also not present, but not because of COVID-19.

Carl Hagelin was held out of practice and tested for COVID, but results were negative.

Update: Capitals say that Carl Hagelin (illness) did not test positive for covid-19 this morning, so he’s good to go as of now.

Nic Dowd, Garnet Hathaway, TvR all still in covid protocols. Caps goalie coach Scott Murray is in protocols as well.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 9, 2021

Evgeny Kuznetsov left practice early with a lower-body injury. Coach Laviolette said after practice that Kuznetsov’s exit from practice was more of a precautionary move.

And Evgeny Kuznetsov left Capitals practice early. The team says it’s a lower body injury.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) December 9, 2021

The Capitals conclude their season-long four game homestand tomorrow night when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals are currently on a season-long seven game point streak (6-0-1) at Capital One Arena, outscoring opponents 30-17 during that span.

Tomorrow’s game will mark the second time this season the Capitals will face the Penguins after beating them 6-1 at Capital One Arena on Nov. 14, the largest margin of victory the Capitals have had against an opponent this season. Six different players recorded multi-point efforts in that win, including Tom Wilson (1g, 1a).

Wilson is entering tomorrow’s game after scoring his 100^th career goal on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks to become the 31^st player in franchise history to reach the mark with the Capitals. Wilson is one of six players from his 2012 NHL Draft class to reach the milestone.

This season, Wilson – who is in his ninth season with the Capitals – has recorded 24 points (9g, 15a) in 26 games, which is tied for the third-highest total on the team this season (Alex Ovechkin: 41; Evgeny Kuznetsov: 28; John Carlson: 24). Of his 24 points, 18 have come at five-on-five play, which is tied for the seventh-most in the NHL.

this’ll warm the ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZV7s5nGDYF

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 9, 2021

Wilson is on pace for a career-high 75 points this season. Since the 2016-17 season, Wilson has increased his points per game total in the following season, a streak of five consecutive campaigns.

Wilson is additionally five games shy of his 600^th career game. He will become the 20^th player in franchise history to reach the milestone.