The Washington Capitals are going all out on Nicklas Backstrom’s big day. The team is wearing special warmup jerseys and shirts before the Swedish center’s 1,000th game.
The Capitals are also posting a ton of tributes to Backstrom on social media.
Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette made two special speeches on Thursday. He congratulated Conor Sheary on his new two-year extension out on the ice. Inside the locker room, Laviolette gave props to Nicklas Backstrom for what will be his 1,000th NHL game on Thursday night.
The Capitals gave fans a rare glimpse inside of the room and posted video of what Lavy said to Backstrom.
The Washington Capitals are a family. They’re also a very silly and weird bunch.
Thursday, before the Capitals’ morning skate began, Peter Laviolette called his troops over in a huddle. According to The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, it was to congratulate Conor Sheary on his new two-year extension with the team.
To show his appreciation, Alex Ovechkin pretended to make it rain.
By Ian Oland 6 hours ago
Jakub Vrana took to Instagram on Thursday to post an emotional goodbye to his former Capitals teammates and fans.
“To everyone that have helped me since day one,” Vrana began. “I have great memories with this team, built great relationships within this city, met great people, had great teammates, played in front of amazing fans and that will always stay in my heart. THANK YOU.”
Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov will neither play nor be on the bench for the team’s game against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night.
Samsonov missed the team’s morning skate and is out day-today with an upper-body injury.
Nicklas Backstrom will become the 356th player in NHL history to play in 1,000 games Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. When the puck drops, the Swedish center will officially join Alex Ovechkin as the second player in franchise history to play in 1,000 games for the Capitals.
Wednesday, in anticipation of the big game, the Capitals announced several tributes they have planned to honor Backstrom on his milestone.
By Ian Oland 24 hours ago
The Washington Capitals have inked another contract extension with a player not named Alex Ovechkin.
Wednesday, the Capitals re-signed Conor Sheary to a two-year, $3 million deal worth $1.5M per season.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the deal.
Jakub Vrana took to the ice for the first time as a member of the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.
Vrana, a fan favorite in Washington, was dealt on trade deadline day by the Capitals along with Richard Panik and a first- and second-round pick for lorge forward Anthony Mantha.
By Ian Oland 1 day ago
Anthony Mantha made his Capitals debut on Tuesday, skating on the team’s second line with Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie. The trio combined for five points (2g, 3a) against the Flyers, which included Mantha’s first point and first goal as a Capital.
To welcome their newest player, the Capitals held a caption contest where Backstrom was seen chatting to Mantha.
By Ian Oland 1 day ago
Trade deadline acquisition Anthony Mantha registered his first point as a Capital in the first period. He scored his first Capitals goal in the second.
Curling to the middle of the ice, Mantha ripped a wrist shot that beat Brian Elliott in a hurry. It was Mantha’s 12th goal in 43 games this season.
