Center Connor McMichael skated on the Washington Capitals’ fourth-line during practice on Thursday, but head coach Peter Laviolette played down the significance of that, saying he “wouldn’t put too much into” it and the team is trying a lot of different things.
After center Dylan Strome tallied two goals in Wednesday’s 3-1 preseason win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Laviolette told the media that the team is looking at putting him there and that his play warranted consideration.
Laviolette explained that everyone who practiced with the first group on Thursday will travel for Friday’s game at the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 PM ET, Caps Radio 24/7) and Saturday’s tilt at the Columbus Blue Jackets and play in one of them.
No one will play both, so players from other groups will get some time. Defenseman Lucas Johansen bumped back up to that group.
Capitals first practice group today:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Brown
Mantha-Strome-Oshie
Johansson-Eller-Sheary
McMichael-Dowd-HathawayFehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Gustafsson-TvR
Johansen-IrwinKuemper
Lindgren— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 29, 2022
Laviolette also revealed that the Capitals have yet to decide whether the team will use their final roster spot this season for a 14th forward or eighth defenseman.
Peter Laviolette says the Capitals haven’t decided whether they’ll carry a 14th forward or eighth defenseman on their roster to begin the season but both options are in consideration.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) September 29, 2022
Strome played on the Capitals’ first power-play unit and captain Alex Ovechkin and defenseman Erik Gustafsson played the points on the second.
PP1: Carlson, Ovechkin, Oshie, Kuznetsov, Strome.
PP2: Orlov, Gustafsson, Brown, Mantha, Johansson.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 29, 2022
NHL News
* Toronto Maple Leafs re-sign RFA D Rasmus Sandin to two-year contract ($1.4 million cap hit)
First day of waivers is today: among the names are Brad Hunt and Smallman (COL), Richard Panik (NYI) and Michael Carcone (ARIZ).
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 29, 2022
Capitals Today
CAPS TODAY: Forwards Dylan Strome (2g) and Connor Brown (1g, 1a) combined for four points in Wednesday’s 3-1 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, while goaltender Charlie Lindgren stopped all 13 shots he faced. More info and #Caps clips at https://t.co/HecIC0n0Rr pic.twitter.com/FfbfUmqNBN
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) September 29, 2022
By Harrison Brown
Getting down to brass tax. Part of me can’t wait to see how the roster plays out, but I also fear the potential waivers coming.
Tough decisions only days away. Opening night in less than 2 weeks.
Brass tacks…
Stroke had 2 fantastic passes on this pp prior to him scoring his pp goal. Very interested I. Seeing how he does with consistent time on #1 pp unit.