The Washington Capitals took to the ice this morning for the first time since returning from the bye week. After practice was cancelled yesterday due to travel delays, Thursday’s morning skate is the only ice time the Caps will get before the game against the New jersey Devils this evening.
According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, Barry Trotz kept his lines the same from the team’s buzzer-beater win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Andre Burakovsky, who swam with dolphins in the Bahamas, remains a healthy scratch.
Lines at morning skate for 7 p.m. Devils game:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-DSP
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Connolly-Eller-Oshie
Stephenson-Beagle-Chiasson
Djoos-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-BoweyHoltby in starter’s net
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) January 18, 2018
Burakovsky was first scratched on December 30th against the Devils. The Swedish forward, who has struggled to find consistency in his game since missing a month and a half due to a broken thumb, has only appeared in two of the Capitals last six games. Burakovsky also missed both games of the home and home last week against the Carolina Hurricanes due to an illness.
Andre Burakovsky, who missed the last two games with an illness, rotated in on the fourth line but was not in initial rushes.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) January 18, 2018
Trotz expects Burakovsky to suit up in tomorrow night’s game against the Canadiens.
#Caps Coach Barry Trotz discusses why Andre Burakovsky will miss a third straight game tonight in Newark. #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/JeoMPhKGIf
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 18, 2018
Meanwhile, Burakovsky’s name was floated by Elliotte Friedman in his latest edition of 31 Thoughts.
12. There were rumblings Washington was shopping Andre Burakovsky for a defenceman, but that got shot down.
Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk
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