After a day off on Monday, the Washington Capitals returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex for their fifth day of 2022 training camp. Capitals bench boss Peter Laviolette continued to tweak the line combinations in the run up to the team’s season opener in just 14 days.
Capitals’ first practice group today:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Brown
Sheary-Eller-Oshie
Mantha-Strome-Protas
Johansson-Dowd-Hathaway
*McMichael rotating in on top two linesFehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Gustafsson-TvR
Irwin-IorioKuemper
Lindgren— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 27, 2022
Lars Eller moved up to the second line center position, with Dylan Strome moving down to center the third line. Connor McMichael skated as the extra.
Capitals’ Group A power play unit:
Strome-Oshie-Kuznetsov
Ovechkin-Carlson— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) September 27, 2022
The defensive pairs could very well represent what we see on opening night. Vinny Iorio skated with the first group as an extra on Monday, replacing Lucas Johansen.
Laviolette would say after practice on Tuesday that Iorio was previously scheduled to practice with the top group, and not a direct result of Sunday’s play in the first preseason game. More here.
To better monitor the specific changes, here were the lines from Saturday:
Some changes to the Capitals lines today as Laviolette said there would be:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Mantha
McMichael-Strome-Brown
Sheary-Eller-Oshie
Johansson-Dowd-Hathaway
Extra: Leason, ProtasFehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Gustafsson-TvR
Irwin-JohansenKuemper
Lindgren— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 24, 2022
As opening night inches closer it appears that Marcus Johansson may secure the 4th line left wing position, in lieu of Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, although there are still two weeks remaining in training camp, and plenty can change.
For what it’s worth, here were the lines and pairs from first day of training camp:
First lines/pairs/goalie tandem of #Caps training camp:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Brown
Strome-McMichael-Mantha (Snively) Johansson-Eller-Oshie
Sheary (AJF)-Dowd-HathawayFehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Gustafson-TvR
Carlsson-IrwinKuemper
Lindgren— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 23, 2022
The Capitals next preseason game is Wednesday night in Philadelphia with the roster announced later today. Peter Laviolette says the Capitals will be sending some veterans to Philly for their preseason game tomorrow. One of their top two goalies will be among them.
SHAVINGS
Players cut from the Capitals roster on Monday began reporting to their junior teams on Tuesday. Capitals forward prospect Haakon Hanelt was in attendance at the Gatineau Olympiques practice Tuesday morning.
Des sourires et des retours ce matin. 😁
Smiles and returns this morning. 😁#goOLgo♠️ pic.twitter.com/u0ZqjvFJ9V
— Olympiques de Gatineau (@OlympiquesGAT) September 27, 2022
Gatineau returns to action on Saturday when they host the Quebec Remparts.
Peter Laviolette Junior was officially transferred from Plymouth State University to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
Confirmed: Peter Laviolette (F) | Plymouth State Univ. -> Wheeling Nailers | https://t.co/66rASvs4Vq #ECHL
— EP Transfers (@ep_transfers) September 27, 2022
Laviolette Junior returns to where his father got his first head coaching gig in 1997.
SCHEDULE
Here is the Capitals schedule for the week:
Today
9 a.m.: Group A practice (Arlington Rink)
9:45 a.m.: Group A practice (Capitals Rink)
10:40 a.m.: Group A off-ice workouts (Gym)
10:55 a.m.: Group A media availability
12:30 p.m.: Groups B & C practice (Arlington & Capitals Rinks)
1:20 p.m.: Groups B & C Scrimmage (Arlington Rink)
1:50 p.m.: Groups B & C Scrimmage (Capitals Rink)
Post-skate: Head coach Peter Laviolette media availability
2:30 p.m.: Groups B & C off-ice workouts (Gym)
2:45 p.m.: Groups B & C media availability
Wednesday, Sept. 28
10:30 a.m.: Pregame skate (Capitals Rink)
12 p.m.: Non-game group practice (Arlington & Capitals Rinks)
12:50 p.m.: Non-game group scrimmage (Capitals Rink)
1:50 p.m.: Non-game group scrimmage (Capitals Rink)
7 p.m.: Washington at Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center)
TV: NBCSW, NHLN
Radio: TEAM 980, Caps Radio 24/7
Thursday, Sept. 29
10 a.m.: Group A practice (Arlington Rink)
10:45 a.m.: Group A practice (Capitals Rink)
11:40 a.m.: Group A off-ice workouts (Gym)
11:55 a.m.: Group A media availability
1:30 p.m.: Groups B & C practice (Arlington & Capitals Rinks)
2:20 p.m.: Groups B & C Scrimmage (Arlington Rink)
2:50 p.m.: Groups B & C Scrimmage (Capitals Rink)
Post-skate: Head coach Peter Laviolette media availability
3:30 p.m.: Groups B & C off-ice workouts (Gym)
3:45 p.m.: Groups B & C media availability
Friday, Sept. 30
9:15 a.m.: Non-game group practice (Arlington & Capitals Rinks)
7:30 p.m.: Washington at Detroit (Little Caesars Arena)
TV: NBCSW, NHLN
Radio: TEAM 980, Caps Radio 24/7
Mojo on the 4th line makes sense. Is Iorio sneaking onto the roster? Probably not but he sure looked comfortable out on Sunday.
I’d like to see Axel get a chance at the position, It’s likely our last chance with him, as he will have to be waived if he doesn’t make the opening night roster, and I doubt he will clear (again). but it could very well end up with MoJo in that position. Iorio is likely more a shot across the bow for Lucas Johansen, a reminder this his last shot to make the roster.
I agree, Jon. I’d give Axel his chance. I expect they have a good idea what he is capable of. He has to add some offense. Not a ton but a little. Mojo has a track record of creating offense so chances are he’s the better option.
Agree with your take, Lance. It will be very interesting to see how this all unfolds.
lots of line changes over the next 2 weeks
Doubtful. Seems like Lavi is pretty locked in to most spots already. Blueline looks set.
I think Lavi has rendered a verdict on Axel. If he doesn’t make the team at least trade him and get something for him. Same for Snively and Leason.
Positions belong to the vets unless they lose them. Prospects start the competition for spots already behind. Yes, I expect to lose some prospects.
Jon, if any of NoVaCaps are at practice today ask Lavi about his relatives — he has a lot in Manatee-Sarasota counties which are the Ian bullseye right now.
Ah, good idea. He sold his home on Longboat Key, but I think he still has family and property in the area.
Manatee and Sarasota property listings still show Peter as owner of some properties and other Laviolettes as well. I think his parents moved down there first and then other family members followed. Coop is also down there. Many Lightning players live on Davis Island which is under mandatory evacuation as are all hotels in the Amalie Arena area so many if not most Bolts not in Raleigh have had to evacuate.
How you are safely up here in NOVA Fyre. Not a religious guy, but sending thoughts and positive vibes to those in the path.
I’m just north of Tampa at the moment, beyond expected storm surge but still expecting high winds and lots of rain. Still getting property as prepared for Ian as I can. But the farther south it makes landfall, the better it is for me.
Saw the latest forecast, looks like the projected path is now just south of Tampa, which would be a good thing, winds would be pushing water out of Tampa Bay.
Local weather guys and gals are waffling but yes, looks a lot better for the storm surge if it holds. Still calling for 12-20 inches of rain in my area.
I still wouldn’t read too much into the lines. Trying people out at a lot of places. Need to see Strome at Center. Need to see Lars at 2C. Have to dress at least 6 vets per game so that is probably why we see Mojo in there ahead of AJF. Think we’ll see AJF on Friday. Exciting for Iorio and concerning for LuJo. They will both be in Hershey this year. Will be interesting to see the dee pairs for tomorrow, but agree it seems to be pretty set. Sad there are no Beck Malenstyn sightings. I was pretty high on him given his physical style but he regressed last year. Not worried about Snively. Might have been the best player on the Ice Sunday. He will get a spot even if 13th (and I think we’ll keep 14 on roster). 7 dee with Irwin as the extra.