The Washington Capitals are in midst of their Alumni Weekend and Friday night, a special guest graced its signature event.
Alex Ovechkin attended the Stars & Spirits rooftop event held at The View of DC in Rosslyn, VA
Ovechkin took photos with fans, including Capitals T-Shirt Guy Charlie McManus, and mingled with other former players.
The Washington Capitals will play their first road preseason game on Saturday. They’ll rematch the Detroit Red Wings who they just beat 4-3 at Capital One Arena on Thursday.
The Caps dressed a primarily NHL-veteran laden up against the Wings in that win as new head coach Spencer Carbery wanted to get his older players a game at home. With the team now staring down three in a row on the road, Carbery has gone back to a more mixed roster of NHL vets, prospects, and AHL standouts.
By Chris Cerullo 15 hours ago
The Washington Capitals announced one Training Camp roster cut on Friday. Andrew Cristall, the team’s 2023 second-round draft selection, has been returned back to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets.
Cristall made his NHL preseason debut on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings. The talented forward earned an assist on Rasmus Sandin’s power-play goal.
By Chris Cerullo 17 hours ago
Nicklas Backstrom hit the ice last week for his first NHL Training Camp since 2019. In previous offseasons, the veteran Swede dealt with lingering hip-related issues limiting what he could do. But with his successful surgery in June 2022 correcting his problems, the Capitals center was able to fully train without limitations in the summer. During his first press conference back with Capitals media, Backstrom made it clear he was healthy and done talking about his hip.
The silky playmaker dressed for his first preseason game on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, skating on a line with Alex Ovechkin. The dynamic duo didn’t wait long to get on the scoresheet and played more minutes than any other Caps forwards.
Backstrom earned effusive praise postgame from teammates and coaches who noticed just how rejuvenated he looks.
By Chris Cerullo 21 hours ago
Ivan Miroshnichenko was nervous and had jitters in the first period of his NHL preseason debut for the Washington Capitals. But by the end of regulation, the 19-year-old Russian, who was the Caps’ first round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, was the game’s second star and one of only two Caps’ players who had a multi-point night.
“He was sort of similar to a lot of our players I’d say, they got better as the game went along,” Spencer Carbery said at his post-game press conference.
Skating on the first line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, Miroshnichenko impressed in his 16:23 of ice time posting two assists, three hits, and three shots. He called the experience a dream come true.
“Only three shots!?” Tom Wilson said surprised. “I thought he had like 10. He was buzzing.”
Miroshnichenko’s outing was so good that it has seemingly turned an automatic assignment to the AHL’s Hershey Bears during Training Camp into a more difficult decision.
The Washington Capitals dressed a veteran-laden lineup against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday in part so that their new look power play could get some minutes together. The Caps’ man advantage unit, coached by new assistant Kirk Muller, got three tries against the Wings and potted one goal in the 4-3 victory.
While much of the foundation initially installed by Adam Oates in 2012 and later run by former assistant Blaine Forsythe remains, Muller and new head coach Spencer Carbery have already added their own wrinkles to try and freshen things up.
The rookie bench boss discussed postgame what he saw from his top special teams group.
By Chris Cerullo 1 day ago
Ivan Miroshnichenko was noticeable and impressive in his NHL preseason debut, notching two assists, three shots, and three hits for the Capitals in 16:23 of ice time against the Detroit Red Wings.
But what held special significance for Miroshnichenko was being placed on the same line as Capitals’ legends Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in the 4-3 victory.
After being named second star of the night, Miroshnichenko spoke with Capitals’ media in the locker room using Ovechkin as an interpreter.
It was magic as you might expect.
The Washington Capitals looked a lot smoother in their second game of the preseason.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery gave jerseys to the team’s superstar core including Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, TJ Oshie, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and John Carlson. That firepower, along with successful NHL preseason debuts from Ivan Miroshnichenko and Andrew Cristall, was enough to give the Capitals’ 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
John Carlson scored the game-winner, Tom Wilson potted a goal, and Nicklas Backstrom reversed roles with Alex Ovechkin to add a tally of his own. Rasmus Sandin added an insurance goal in the third period.
A beloved former player was in the house for the Capitals-Red Wings preseason game, Thursday.
Mike Green, a two-time Norris Trophy finalist with the Caps, was spotted in a luxury box with other Capitals alumni.
The appearance marks the first time Green has been spotted publicly at Capital One Arena since announcing his retirement in 2020.
The Washington Capitals take on the Detroit Red Wings for their second game of the 2023 preseason.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom will be in the lineup for the first time this year while Ivan Miroshnichenko and Andrew Cristall (he’s super excited) will make their NHL preseason debuts. Miroshnichenko will notably skate with Ovechkin and Backstrom on the top line.
The game will air live on Monumental Sports Network (formerly known as NBC Sports Washington) with Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin with the call.
