On Wednesday, after a scheduled day off on Tuesday, the Capitals held their first practice since the team’s 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Caps took the ice without their captain Alex Ovechkin.
The Russian machine took a maintenance day due to a minor injury he suffered after colliding awkwardly into the end boards against the Blues.
Brett Connolly was plugged into the first line to accommodate Ovechkin’s absence.
Lines:
Connolly-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Burakovsky-Backstrom-Oshie
Gersich-Eller-DSP
Stephenson-Boyd-ChiassonKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Jerabek-Bowey— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2018
Ovechkin watched practice from behind the glass.
Alex may not have skated at practice… but Ovi-Wan Kovechkin was there watching… #Caps #allcaps pic.twitter.com/ZoaT9Z6j4o
— FriendsinColdPlaces (@inColdPlacesDC) April 5, 2018
After practice, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said that he will decide later if Ovechkin will play in Thursday night’s matchup against the Nashville Predators.
Trotz said he’s splitting the goaltenders for the last two games. Ovechkin maintenance day is related to his tumble into the boards. Trotz said he skated earlier and they’ll make a decision tomorrow on if he plays.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2018
According to the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan, the Capitals are likely just exercising an abundance of caution with the division clinched and two mostly meaningless games remaining on the schedule. During the Blues game, Ovechkin didn’t miss a shift and scored his 46th goal of the season.
The tumble was definitely a bit awkward, and it’s better to rest than have an injured Ovi during the playoffs.
