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Lars Eller Returns, Darcy Kuemper, Martin Fehervary And Beck Malenstyn Skate: Notes From Capitals Morning Skate

Jon Sorensen


The Washington Capitals returned home late Tuesday night following their 7-3 victory over the Blackhawks in Chicago on Tuesday night. After a day off on Wednesday the team returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex Thursday morning for final preparations for the Dallas Stars.

The Capitals forward lines and defensive pairs at Thursday’s morning skate:

Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Conor Sheary
Sonny Milano — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Anthony Mantha
Marcus Johansson — Lars Eller — T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway
Extras: Nicolas Aube-Kubel – Nicklas Backstrom – Tom Wilson

Erik Gustafsson — John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov — Nick Jensen
Matt Irwin — Trevor Van Riemsdyk
Extras: Joe Snively, Lucas Johansen

Charlie Lindgren
Hunter Shepard
Darcy Kuemper

Lars Eller (upper body) participated in Capitals morning skate. He missed the game Tuesday in Chicago.

Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson continue to skate with team in non-contact jerseys.

Martin Fehervary (upper body injury) and Beck Malenstyn (finger surgery) skated prior to the Capitals morning skate. Darcy Kuemper also skated prior to morning skate, and faced shots.

BEAT DALLAS

The Capitals will complete their regular-season series with the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. Dallas won the first meeting by a score of 2-0 at American Airlines Center on October 27 and has taken their last three visits to the District. Action from Capital One Arena can be seen on NBC Sports Washington in-market or NHL Network out-of-market starting at 7 PM ET.

Dallas continues a five-game Metropolitan Division road trip after splitting the first two games. Washington opens a three-game homestand and stretch where they play 10 of their next 16 in the nation’s capital. [Full Preview Here]

STAT OF THE DAY – GREAT800

Alex Ovechkin has 800 goals in his NHL career, so far. He has accrued the total all while playing in a relatively low-scoring era with several shortened seasons.

Today’s stat of the day, courtesy of JFresh Hockey, presents a timeline of his goals and points per 82 games by season, adjusted for era using HockeyReference’s method.

According to the adjustment for the eras, Ovechkin would have 968 goals to date.

Wayne Gretzky scored 803 goals in his first 15 NHL seasons. This, in an era in which the netminders average save percentage was 88.01%.

Alex Ovechkin has scored 800 goals in his first 17+ NHL seasons (including lockouts and Covid-shortened seasons). His goals have come in era in which the netminders average save percentage was 91.06%.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Alexander Suzdalev scored his 18th goal of the season last night against Spokane Chiefs. He has points in eight-straight games, points in 17 of last 18 games, 31 points over last 18 games.

Suzdalev also converted in the shootout, his first shootout attempt of the season. He was oddly left out of the Pats only other shootout earlier in the season.

Suzdalev was named the first star of the game.

Ryan Hofer notched his 18th goal of the season last night against Olie Kolzig’s Tri-City Americans.

The Silvertips wrap up their first half (before CHL holiday break) with a home-and-home with the Seattle Thunderbirds, beginning in Kent Friday night and finishing Saturday night in Everett.

SHAVINGS

W Magazine, a lifestyle publication produced by the Washington Capitals, is now available for purchase for $19.99 at the Team Store at Capital One Arena, at the Team Store at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, and online at washcaps.com/WMagazine.

By Jon Sorensen

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