The Washington Capitals returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex for practice on Monday following their 5-3 loss to the Wild Sunday afternoon in Minnesota. They next host the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night at Capital One Arena, with puck drop set for 7PM.
OPTIONAL PRACTICE
Darcy Kuemper (upper body) and Nick Jensen (upper body) participated in the Capitals practice today. They did not play in Minnesota on Sunday.
John Carlson has officially ditched the non-contact jersey. pic.twitter.com/vD9YijpnyQ
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) March 20, 2023
John Carlson is no longer in the blue non-contact sweater. He donned the normal white (full-contact) jersey today for the first time since December 23.
Capitals say Kuznetsov (upper body), Kuemper (upper body) and Jensen (upper body) are all day to day.
Carlson changing to regular jersey today is part of his progression , but no change to his status otherwise.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 20, 2023
Evgeny Kuznetsov, who left in the third period of yesterday’s game in Minnesota, was not on the ice for the optional practice. The Capitals said he is officially “day to day”.
All three goalies (Darcy Kuemper, Charlie Lindgren and Zach Fucale) participated in today’s optional practice.
STAT OF THE DAY – FACEOFFS, FINALLY !
Today’s stat of the day celebrates a significant milestone for the Capitals, as for the first time in more than two years the team’s faceoff winning percentage has reached the 50% plateau. [Click to enlarge].
The Capitals won the battle at the dot again on Sunday against the Wild (57-43%) and now sit at 50.1% for the season.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Alexander Suzdalev scored his 38th goal of the season on Sunday night against the Saskatoon Blades. He continues to lead all WHL rookies in goals, assists and points.
Alexander Suzdalev with his 38th of the season. Nice setup by that Bedard dude. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/mxzaCo1HGk
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 19, 2023
Ryan Hofer scored his 40th goal of the season on Sunday against the Kelowna Rockets. Hofer has shot the puck 273 times this season for a season shooting percentage of 14.7%.
Hof with the beautiful Hand Eye 👀@Capitals pic.twitter.com/QKhxTxRWbB
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 19, 2023
Ethen Frank scored his 27th goal of the season Saturday night against Rochester. The goal was also the eventual game-winner.
Frankophiles unite! Ethen Frank with his team-leading 27th goal of the season, gives the Bears a 2-1 lead. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/poHdJxT2B4
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 19, 2023
Frank now has the most goals by a Bears rookie since Craig Fisher (43) during the 1990-91 season.
SHAVINGS
- 2023 NCAA men’s hockey: Tourney field, bracket, how to watch. [ESPN]
- 2023 NHL Draft Lottery Odds: Which teams have the best chance to select Connor Bedard? [Daily Faceoff]
- NHL’s Disney simulcast among top games on cable this season. [Sports Media Watch]
- Opinion: Nine Time’s The NHL ‘Loser Point’ Skewed The Standings. [The Hockey News]