The Washington Capitals made their way to Long Island, New York Sunday afternoon in advance of their tilt with the Islanders Monday night at UBS Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30PM. [Game Preview]. 

The Capitals held their gameday morning skate at 11AM Monday morning at UBS Arena. Here’s the latest from the island.

MORNING SKATE

It looks like Lars Eller will be the healthy scratch tonight, as Laviolette continues to tinker with the lines. The forward lines and defensive pairs at morning skate, courtesy of Samantha Pell/Washington Post:

Alex Ovechkin — Dylan Strome — Connor Sheary
Anthony Mantha — Evgeny Kuznetsov — T.J. Oshie
Sonny Milano — Nicklas Backstrom — Tom Wilson
Marcus Johansson — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway

Erik Gustafsson — Trevor van Riemsdyk
Dmitry Orlov — Nick Jensen
Matt Irwin — Martin Fehervary

Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren

Extras: Lars Eller, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Alex Alexeyev

Darcy Kuemper was the first goaltender off the ice at morning skate. He’s expected to be in net tonight against the Islanders.

ISLAND HOPPING

The Washington Capitals visit the New York Islanders on Monday night for the first meeting of the season between the two teams. The teams split four games between them last season with each winning on the other’s turf once.

Capitals on the ice for morning skate ahead of their game against NYI tonight at UBS Arena. pic.twitter.com/aDkWAsLJdB

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 16, 2023

The Capitals have a record of 7-1-0 in their last eight road games and are 8-4-0 in their last 12 games against the Islanders.

Action from UBS Arena can be seen on NBC Sports Washington in-market or ESPN+ out-of-market. [Full Game Preview]

STAT OF THE DAY

Today’s stat of the day plots each of the Capitals skaters’ individual expected goals per 6o after 45 games played. [Click to enlarge].

To nobody’s surprise, Alex Ovechkin tops the list in individual expected goals per 60. In-season acquisitions Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Sonny Milano sit number 2 and number 3, respectively, which is truly impressive. Where would the Capitals be without them? That’s up for debate.

[The statistics used in this post are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and the NoVa Caps Advanced Analytics Model (NCAAM). If you’d like to learn more about the statistical terms used in this post, please check out our NHL Analytics Glossary]

DOWN ON THE FARM

Alexander Suzdalev pulled-off the prospect trick-shot goal of the season so far on Saturday night. We’ve seen him pull ot off before in Europe and in practice, but this is the first time he’s succeed in North America. It was the WHL highlight of the night.

🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥

Alexander did whaaaaaat?! @WHLPats | @Capitals | #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/SQNpqPEXtm

— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 15, 2023

Suzdalev discussed the impressive shot with Regina media following the game on Saturday night

Alexander Suzdalev discusses his between-the-legs goal from this weekend. #ALLCAPS [🎥: @WHLPats ] pic.twitter.com/zONkGUMupy

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 16, 2023

Regina head coach John Paddock was asked about the goal following the game. He said “he can do that. He can lift you out of your seat”.

Regina head coach on Suzdalev goal. #ALLCAPS [🎥: @WHLPats pic.twitter.com/RWUC3pqTnG

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 16, 2023

Connor McMichael scored his 8th goal since returning to the Hershey Bears. The goal came in the second period of Saturday night’s tilt with the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Connor McMichael fires a dart for his 8th with the Bears this season. Game tied 2-2. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/UtxZh0FLid

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

Hendrix Lapierre scored his 10th of the season, also on Saturday night against the Thunderbirds.

Hendrix Lapierre cleans up the loose change on the power play for his 10th of the season. T-Birds just answered. Tied 1-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Z2w2Uyz3PB

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

Joe Snively has hit the ground running since being sent down to Hershey. He has goals in each of his first two games with the Bears.

Nice defense by Connor McMichael, then dishes to Joltin Joe Snipely for his second goal in as many games. Bears starting to put the hammer down, lead 5-2. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/biPOZHZBPC

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

Ryan Hofer has played two games for the Kamloops Blazers since being traded from Everett last week and already has three goals for the Blazers.

2 games 2 goals

Not bad Hofer 🔥🔥🔥

2-1 Blazers #whl #blazernation pic.twitter.com/VHn9cM3vtC

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 15, 2023

Overall, Hofer has 26 goals and 13 assists in 38 games played so far this season, He will be a nice addition in Hershey next fall.

SHAVINGS

Happy “The Goal”-iversary to all. Jan.16, 2006: Rookie Alex Ovechkin scored ‘The Goal’ as the Capitals beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 6-1.

By Jon Sorensen