The Capitals returned to work on Tuesday following a day off on Monday. The practice was the first for the team’s official 23-man roster, which was finalized on Monday.
Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette unveiled what is very likely to be his lines for their opening night tilt with the Bruins on Wednesday. Capitals lines in Tuesday practice:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Brown
Protas-Strome-Mantha
Johansson-Eller-Oshie
Sheary-Dowd-Hathaway
Fehervary-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Gustafsson-TvR
Extras: Snively, McMichael, Irwin
Kuemper
Lindgren
It looks like Aliaksei Protas has not only earned a roster spot but could be in tomorrow night’s lineup, as Joe Snively, Connor McMichael and Matt Irwin skated as the extras.
The Capitals open their season Wednesday when the host the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. The Capitals have won five straight season-opening games dating to 2017-18 – the longest active stretch in the NHL. Washington also owns the NHL’s longest active point streak in season-opening contests (8 GP; 6-0-2 since 2014-15).
Should they extend the run to nine games in 2022-23, the Capitals would become the 10th team in NHL history to have a point streak of at least that length in season-opening games (from NHL Stats).
By Jon Sorensen
Congratulations Viper! Well earned!
I would imagine everyone might get game in the opening back-to-back set, but then after that, I guess we begin the scratches watch, and if C-Mac is an extra for a while, at what point do they send him down?
When Alex Alex returns?
I’m pissed off at how Lavi and BMac are handling CMac.
Worries me that we are the 2nd oldest team and will that hurt us as the season goes along having to play younger and faster teams every night. The wear and tear of a long season coupled with travel is bad enough but if there is an injury or 2 that could be disastrous for this team especially if that injury was to one of the top 6 wingers.
Looks like we have the PMS line.
Or perhaps the Dylan-Alaiksei-Mantha line.
That ‘DAM’ line. 🤔
lol. I was thinking more like, “DAM!!”
With back to back games to open everyone might play the first 2 nights however if CMM and Protas are just going to sit most of the time then the lose of AJF and Leason really stings. If those 2 are going to sit then it better serve them to be in Hershey playing everyday however I look at Protas and think his situation s something like Wilsons from years ago where he was better than AHL but just a bit shy of NHL but better to have him here and learning than in the AHL getting beaten up.
So I think likely both of Leason and AJF get waived also. The rule is they must play on the big club or be exposed to waivers. If either do get waived, do we re-claim them? That will tell us a lot of what we think about them and who we also have down in Hershey.
I’d consider reclaiming both. Leason, who I don’t feel has fully developed, although his skating may never get better, and Axel, because Hershey needs him.
Leason made the Ducks 23 man roster. Axel didn’t, so I don’t know why we wouldn’t reclaimed him.
Sad to report this but AJF made the opening night roster for the Jets. If he does what he did here he will become a fixture there, like Perreault did. And it looks like Leason made it for the Ducks also. Sad to see them go however at least they are getting their shot!
💩
I’d rather have:
Ovechkin Kuznetsov Brown
Mantha Strome Oshie
Snively Protas McMichael
Johansson Dowd Hathaway
Eller and Sheary extras (and both likely to play in future games)
Like your lineup with one exception Sheary in place of MoJo. That gives the 4th line more speed and scoring ability. To me Sheary has earned a starting role especially after last year. MoJo can be a utility player to plug in on several spots when a player needs a rest. Also thinking why not play CMM at his natural position but see the logic in having Protas at C. Good lineup!
I’ll not understand the following equation for McMichael’s development
NHL Practice and Press box > AHL 1st line center 20 plus minutes a night
Simple HC doesnt like younger players. Thats why we lost AJF and have MoJo. So CMM is caught in a situation that wont change until a new HC is brought in!
I think you’re right. I have to think CMac would have a regular NHL shift by now on almost every other NHL team. The vets can have inconsistent and even bad games and they still get their regular shift. If someone on CMac’s line mishandles a pass then CMac doesn’t see any ice for a good while.