On Sunday, Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette spoke to the media following today’s practice. He discussed center Connor McMichael’s loan to the AHL’s Hershey Bears for development purposes and how inconsistency in games is plaguing the Capitals recently.
McMichael was loaned to the Bears this morning as a move Laviolette called “from a development standpoint.” “Play twenty minutes, twenty-two minutes a night, get in the middle of the ice, take faceoffs, power-plays…get some confidence back…Talked to him this morning [and] he was excited to go play some games.”
Laviolette noted that McMichael’s ice time has been low due to not seeing power plays and penalty kills much in the games the 21-year-old has suited up for, saying, “Just probably not enough to have him keep developing…I think it was time. We were waiting for players to get a little bit healthier…just felt it was important to get him playing.”
“He’s just gotta play,” Laviolette expressed on his expectations on McMichael’s time in Hershey. “He’s gotta get out there and he’s gotta have great nights and he’s gotta have good nights, tough nights, and he’s gotta score some goals, and be counted on defensively.”
According to Laviolette, the focus now is on McMichael getting games in with the Bears, increasing ice time, and improving skills “in all situations” as there is no timetable on when he could be recalled back to the Capitals. “I think right now it’s just important that Connor goes in and plays and has some fun, ” he said.
Washington is coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the Colorado Avalanche at Capital One Arena on Saturday, putting them at a 7-10-3 record on the season. Here recently, the Capitals have been giving up numerous goals early in games and they have voiced the starts “have not been good enough.” “It’s frustrating when you go down early…those are big holes to climb out of,” Laviolette said. “Last night, as I stated and going back and watching it, we started that game really well.”
He explained that the Capitals gave up chances throughout the night and once again reiterated how “we need to get ourselves a lead,” adding, “You can’t be chasing games like that—one, because it’s hard to do and it’s hard to come out of it with wins, but two, it’s taxing mentally and physically.”
The Capitals’ next tilt is Wednesday, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena (7:30 PM ET, TNT). Over the coming days during practice, Laviolette mentioned they will be getting guys “back in repetition” who have been out of the lineup and working on specialty teams. He noted that practices will have some “competing a little bit” among guys.
Laviolette said “inconsistencies” have been plaguing the Capitals, especially offensively. He mentioned that it hinders the team’s ability to score early or create and build a lead. “We can’t make excuses for anything…We gotta win hockey games. Period.”
By Della Young