The Washington Capitals made their way north to Edmonton, Alberta following their 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday night. They conclude their four-game tour of the northwest tonight when they face the Oilers. Puck-drop is set for 8:30PM ET.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper and defenseman Martin Fehervary did not participate in morning skate. Kuemper pulled himself from the game on Saturday night. Fehervary was also injured in Saturday’s game and was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day on Monday. According to various sources, Kuemper has not been placed on injured reserve.

The forward lines at morning skate on Monday courtesy of Samantha Pell/Washington Post:

Capitals forward lines at AM skate ahead of EDM game:

Ovechkin-Strome-Sheary
Milano-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Eller-Mantha
Protas-Dowd-Hathaway

Didn’t see the d-pairs, but obviously no Fehervary (upper body). Will know soon if Orlov (lower body, IR) is activated or stays out

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 5, 2022

It was later reported by The Athletics’ Tarik El-Bashir that Dmitry Orlov has been ruled out for tonight, as per Laviolette. As a result, expected defensive pairs could look like this:

Erik Gustafsson — John Carlson
Matt Irwin — Nick Jensen
Alexander Alexeyev — Trevor van Riemsdyk

Extras: Joe Snively, Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Goaltender Hunter Shepard was officially recalled earlier in the day on Monday, but made his way to Edmonton on Sunday.

793 and counting for @Capitals @ovi8 as @EdmontonOilers try and stop him tonight on @Rogers Monday night Hockey @Sportsnet 6:30 MT pic.twitter.com/2tArQSRQOE

— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) December 5, 2022

Injured: Martin Fehervary, Darcy Kuemper, Connor Brown, Dmitry Orlov, Carl Hagelin, Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom, Beck Malenstyn.

Capitals are holding morning skate here in Edmonton before their game tonight vs Oilers.

Goalies Charlie Lindgren and Hunter Shepard are on the ice. No Darcy Kuemper (upper body) – he was injured in Calgary.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 5, 2022

The Capitals visit the Edmonton Oilers tonight at Rogers Place for the second of two games between the teams this season. The Capitals defeated the Oilers 5-4 in the first meeting on Nov. 7 at Capital One Arena.

#ALLCAPS #Practice #Letsgo pic.twitter.com/TZS8sij6GM

— Rog-eh Pahj-eh (@rogerapage) December 5, 2022

Evgeny Kuznetsov (2g, 2a), Dylan Strome (2g, 1a) and Alex Ovechkin (1g, 1a) each recorded multiple points as Washington scored four power play goals in the victory.

here in edmonton pic.twitter.com/eyfL297PbO

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2022

In addition, Charlie Lindgren made 25 saves, including 12 in the third period, to earn his first win at home as a Capital. More here.

STAT OF THE DAY – ABOUT LAST NIGHT

Today’s stat of the day is a snapshot from Saturday night’s game against the Flames in Calgary. It presents the expected goals for percentages (xGF%) for each of the Capitals skaters.

The numbers resemble many of the game stats from the start of the season, when most of the players were falling well below 50% in games. Are the Capitals reverting to old ways, or was it a one-night variance? We will find out Monday night against the Oilers.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Ivan Miroshnichenko made his KHL debut on Sunday. Miroshnichenko skated as a 13th forward and saw minor time on ice (4:28) as the game was more or less for getting his feet wet.

Ivan Miroshnichenko takes rookie solo lap before playing in his first career KHL game. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/1M38EoTAyQ

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 4, 2022

Miroshnichenko did record two hits in that small amount of ice time he did get. More on his KHL debut here.

Alexander Suzdalev scored again last night, but maybe his best play came up empty. His inventiveness on the ice was once again on display, as he attempted a lob pass over the goaltender and into the crease.

Alexander Suzdalev fakes “The Michigan” and tries for “The Zegras” (lob pass from behind the goal). Caps are in town (Edmonton) Broadcast said Suzdalev met with players today, coaches and management today. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/EdZzsur4FT

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 5, 2022

Suzdalev continues to impress with his NHL-caliber shot during the month of December. However, what is really starting to jump out with regards to his game is his inventiveness and creativity on the ice, possibly the best among all Capitals prospects at this point in time.

By Jon Sorensen