A few of the Washington Capitals returned to work on Monday for an optional skate following their 1-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night. The team will have a relatively light week this week, with a home-and-home set of games against the Flyers on Wednesday and Saturday the only games on the schedule.
Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson, who made their season debuts on Sunday night, participated in the team’s optional skate on Monday.
Very optional skate for the Capitals at practice today. Players on the ice:
-Nicklas Backstrom
-Tom Wilson
-Anthony Mantha
-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
-Matt Irwin
-Charlie LindgrenCarl Hagelin skated before practice again in a non-contact jersey.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) January 9, 2023
Carl Hagelin continues to skate before team practices. Hagelin didn’t stay on for the practice, but seems to be doing a little more each time he’s out there.
Carl Hagelin once again skating out there at optional skate this morning. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3gRBJ0RWua
— Katie (@That_WriterGirl) January 9, 2023
Anthony Mantha, a healthy scratch for Sunday night’s game , also participated in today’s optional skate.
The Dowders going for an afternoon skate 🥰#CapsDads pic.twitter.com/Gf9cxITicY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 9, 2023
Mantha spoke today about being a healthy scratch last night: “Obviously, the minutes were going down, so the decision to play me [9:48] in my last game there so, you kind of knew it was coming.” He characterized it as a “wake-up” call and wants to improve his work ethic.
STAT OF THE DAY – FACEOFFS
The Capitals climb to the 50% faceoff winning percentage line has been impressive since hitting a season low (41.0%) on 10/29. [Click to enlarge].
The Capitals now sit at 49.8%. They have the 6th-best average in the league at 53.1% since December 1.
Bonus Stat – Shots Fired
Today’s bonus stat provides an update on the Capitals shots per game average (‘shots for’ per game average minus shots against per game average). [Click to enlarge].
The Capitals have leveled off at around +1.50, meaning they are averaging 1.5 more shots for than shots against per game. This could be a minor concern as the Capitals strength of competition has dipped significantly in recent weeks. For what it’s worth, John Carlson’s injury is also included, although there is no provable direct correlation between the leveling off and Carlson’s injury, at least in the context of this post.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Alexander Suzdalev was reunited with Connor Bedard on Sunday night. Bedard was making his first start with the Regina Pats following his participation in the 2023 World Juniors Championship. Bedard notched four goals – yes four – in his first game back. Suzdalev also recorded a goal on the power play.
🚨 Suzy strikes again! 🚨
His 22nd of the season gives us a 2-0 lead!#LegendsInTheMaking | #REGvsCGY pic.twitter.com/AhVwZ6qibg
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 8, 2023
Connor McMichael scored his 7th goal since returning to the Hershey Bears on Sunday night. McMichael is now 8th on the team in points per game average.
Connor McMichael with a silky smooth finish for his 7th goal with the Bears. Aliaksei Protas with the primary. They lead 2-0 early in the 2n,. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/fgoVXaHRbz
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 8, 2023
Aliaksei Protas recorded two assists in the Bears 4-3 win over the Syracuse Crunch on Sunday night. [More here.]
Bogdan Trineyev scored his first career goal in the KHL on Sunday. He now has a goal and four assists in 21 games played this season in the KHL. [More here.]
Capitals forward prospect Bogdan Trineyev scored his first career KHL goal against Torpedo on Sunday. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3MofvXA5OP
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 8, 2023
Finally, it’s being reported that Ryan Hofer has been traded from the Everett Silvertips to the Kamloops Blazers.
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