Carl Hagelin And Joe Snively Miss Practice, Samsonov Leaves Early: News From Capitals Wednesday Practice

The Washington Capitals were back to work at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday for one final practice prior to their tilt with the first place Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. Puck drop on Thursday is set for 7:00 PM on ESPN and Hulu.

Carl Hagelin (upper-body) and Joe Snively (upper-body) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Hagelin took a stick to the face near the end of yesterday’s practice while Snively has been dealing with a lingering injury.

Carl Hagelin and Joe Snively are not practicing today. Both upper-body injuries.

Hagelin was struck in the face/eye area yesterday with a stick near the end of practice.

Snively is a lingering injury.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) March 2, 2022

Ilya Samsonov left Wednesday’s practice early. He was struck up high with a shot during drills. Video coach Brett Leaonhardt filled in for Samsonov.

Capitals at practice:

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
*Mantha-Backstrom-Oshie
McMichael-Eller-Sprong
Sheary-Dowd-Hathaway

Fehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
TvR-Schultz
Kempny-Irwin

*No extra Fs today with Hagelin & Snively not skating, so Mantha being in top 6 may not mean anything

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 2, 2022

Coach Laviolette provided an update on injuries after practice. Carl Hagelin has an eye injury and will be out for an extended period of time. Joe Snively (upper-body) is week-to-week. Ilya Samsonov is still being evaluated after getting hit with a puck up high today at practice.

Capitals Coach Peter Laviolette was asked if Anthony Mantha (shoulder surgery) was ruled out for tomorrow’s game vs Carolina. He didn’t rule him out. Laviolette has ruled Mantha out of games in the past, but it wasn’t the case today. Mantha was first cleared for contact on Monday.

Capitals power play:

PP1: Carlson, Ovechkin, Oshie, Backstrom, Kuznetsov.

PP2: Orlov, Schultz, Wilson, Sheary, Mantha.

Carolina On My Mind

Obviously another stiff test for the Capitals on Thursday as they face the top team in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes have the league’s best penalty kill and the fourth ranked power play. They are also fourth in faceoff winning percentage

Shear Madness

Caps forward Conor Sheary is tied for fifth on the Capitals this season with 24 points (12g, 12a) and ranks fourth on the team with 12 goals. Sheary enters tomorrow’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena four points shy of reaching the 200-career point mark (96g, 96a).

Sheary is in the midst of his second-most productive season of his career with 0.53 points per game (averaged 0.87 points per game in 2016-17). His 0.96 points per 60 minutes of five-on-five play ranks second among Capitals with at least 20 games played this season (1.90), only trailing Alex Ovechkin (2.69).

The New Guy

One interesting note on Henry Rybinski, who was signed to a three-year, $925,000 AAV deal by the Capitals on Tuesday. Elliotte Friedman reports in his weekly 32 thoughts column:

“One interesting note about Rybinski: He was drafted by Florida and not signed. But a scout who originally advocated for him with the Panthers – Evan Marble – is now with the Capitals.”

Hendrix Lapierre

Hendrix Lapierre has been on a mission since he was cut from the Canadian Junior team for 2nd consecutive year. Since returning from the selection camp he has 12 goals and 7 assists in just 11 games – 1.73 points per game average. He notched two more goals on Tuesday night.

Hendrix Lapierre notched two more goals tonight. He has 14g, 19a in just 20 games played so far this season. He has 9g, 6a in just 9 games played since restart of QMJHL season on 2/5. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ryZJDydggk

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 2, 2022