The Washington Capitals are back in action following their three-day holiday break. They will take on the Rangers for the second time this season, this time at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Here is what you need to know from Wednesday’s morning skate.
The Capitals recalled forwards Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre on Wednesday morning. The Caps sent both players down following their 2-1 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is unclear whether or not both will suit up but it is likely.
T.J. Oshie and Max Pacioretty skated in normal practice jersey’s during the morning skate. Oshie is currently on injured-reserve with a lower-body injury and Max Pacioretty is inching closer to making his Capitals debut.
Meanwhile, Ethan Bear was in a normal jersey as well. The Caps have yet to make a formal announcement to sign Bear.
The Caps’ morning skate is underway in New York. T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty and Ethan Bear are all participating (in regular jerseys, but I don’t put a whole lot of stock in that for a morning skate. Not like they’re doing battle drills or anything)
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) December 27, 2023
Bear was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
Expecting that Ethan Bear’s #ALLCAPS contract will be finalized & registered in next day or two, and that it will be a 2 year deal with a cap hit of $2.0625M.
Bear was UFA after not being qualified ($2.2M) by #Canucks
Rep’d by Jason Davidson @tcnewsfeedhttps://t.co/3VV7Y9cfNM
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) December 27, 2023
Darcy Kuemper will be in between the pipes for the Capitals.
Spencer Carbery confirms it’ll be the same lineup tonight. Darcy Kuemper gets the start in goal, as Carbery said on the radio this morning https://t.co/eouTnw4Pfy
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) December 27, 2023
The Capitals return from the holiday break to face the New York Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden for the second of four meetings between the teams this season. Washington shutout the Rangers 4-0 on Dec. 9 at Capital One Arena, backed by a 31-save effort by Charlie Lindgren and goals from Sonny Milano, Anthony Mantha, Tom Wilson and Nic Aube-Kubel.
The Capitals have earned at least one point in four-straight games (3-0-1) and in eight of their last nine games (5-1-3).
Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.
By Jacob Cheris