Photo: @rinkside

The Washington Capitals held their first postseason practice Sunday morning. They also held their first postseason media session following the workout. Down in South Florida, it was much the same, as the Panthers held their first workout and media session. Here a few snippets from the Panthers media day.

Former Washington Capital Radko Gudas was asked about facing his former captain, Alex Ovechkin. Gudas said “we can’t give him any respect, we have to play him as hard as anyone else.”

#FlaPanthers Gudas on facing #AllCaps Ovechkin: “I’m sure there is much (to keeping him in check). He shoots at everything. … We can’t give him any respect. We have to play him as hard as anyone else.” pic.twitter.com/nyoLb86fkB

— Erin Brown (@rinkside) May 1, 2022

Panthers’ head coach Andrew Brunette chose a more complimentary tack when speaking about his first round opponents.

#FlaPanthers Brunette on facing #AllCaps: “They’re not an eight seed. In any other year, they’d be a top-four seed. … It’s a new season anyway, regardless of where you finished after 82 (games).”

— Erin Brown (@rinkside) May 1, 2022

Brunette also provided an update on defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has been injured and is a question mark for Game 1.

#FlaPanthers Coach Brunette said Ekblad had a “full workload” in practice today, but the team still needs to “see where he’s at” for Game 1. The defenseman may be available for the start of the series. pic.twitter.com/hEk3jOLE4g

— Erin Brown (@rinkside) May 1, 2022

Jonathan Huberdeau and Mason Marchment did not participate in the team’s first postseason practice on Sunday. Their status for Tuesday also sounds questionable.

Andrew Brunette says that Jonathan Huberdeau and Mason Marchment both took maintenance days while “dealing with a couple things” today.

He said he wasn’t sure if either would miss Game 1 — said he would hear back on Huberdeau today and he is hoping Marchment is good for Game 1.

— Colby Guy (@ColbyDGuy) May 1, 2022

The Capitals and Panthers open their first round series on Tuesday night in Sunrise, Florida. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM.

By Jon Sorensen