Caps Practice

TJ Oshie shows off shootout skills with finalists of Caps Youth Shootout competition

TJ Oshie is a shootout pro. He became a household name during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he stepped up again and again as the American shooter in USA’s thrilling win over Russia.

Saturday after Capitals practice, three youth hockey players got the chance to learn from the pro himself and even try to make a save on one of his moves. Hayden Martsching, Dmitry Kebreau, and Peter Zelinsky were the winners of the Bantam and Midget age groups in the Caps Youth Shootout. The winners had competed over the summer and during the intermission of two January Caps games, and their prize was spending time on the ice with Oshie and Braden Holtby.

Oshie showed off a few sneaky shootout tricks.

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By Elizabeth Kong 7 months ago

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Photos from the morning skate: TJ Oshie’s busted face

Last Thursday against the Boston Bruins, TJ Oshie was checked face-first into the boards by the Bruins’ Kevan Miller. Oshie broke his stick on the bench in obvious frustration when he was forced to exit the game for concussion testing protocol, but luckily he returned later in the period to finish the rest of the game, which the Caps won 4-2.

At Saturday’s morning skate ahead of the Capitals’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Oshie showed off his new wound, two cuts below his lip.

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By Elizabeth Kong 7 months ago

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Alex Ovechkin’s ridiculous reaction after the Caps’ first power-play unit scored during practice (Photos)

It’s no secret that the Capitals’ power-play has hit a dry spell of late, with the Capitals unable to convert in their last four games prior to Thursday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes (0-16). So when your power-play finally manages to score, you have to celebrate it. Even if it comes during practice.

At the Capitals’ morning skate on Thursday, Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals’ top power-play unit faced off against the Capitals’ penalty kill. And boy did it take a while for the puck to go in the net.

So when it did, off a snipe from Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ovechkin celebrated like it was a real NHL goal.

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By Elizabeth Kong 8 months ago

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The Capitals practiced with their new third jersey pants and helmets today (Photos)

The Washington Capitals will wear their third jerseys for the first time in a game this season on November 11, but they are already practicing with some of the third jersey’s accouterments.

Breaking from the usual uniform of navy pants, white socks, and white helmets, the Caps were a colorful bunch on Saturday’s morning skate wearing red socks, bright blue pants, and red helmets with their usual practice jerseys.

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By Elizabeth Kong 10 months ago

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Braden Holtby Makes Insane Point-Blank Stops Look Easy (Video)

Just another day at the office.

And apparently I’m not done writing about Braden Holtby yet today (1, 2). During the team’s morning skate, the Caps had a drill where they shot from point blank on the Holtbeast. Just like against Evander Kane on Monday, Holtby was very much up to the task, making two sensational glove saves. Like listen to the oooohhhhhh’ing of the crowd at Kettler.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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Alex Semin Has Fun at Caps Practice on his 28th Birthday

Photo by @cnichols14 of the District Sports Page.

We headed down to Kettler today to see how number 28 was spending his 28th birthday. We expected a low-key, downbeat practice after last night’s 5-0 loss to the Devils. That turned out not to be the case — and Alex Semin in particular seemed to be in a good mood.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Video: William From the Make A Wish Foundation Scores on Semyon Varlamov During Practice

Update: RMNB’s Chris Gordon, who was at Kettler today, will have a full story on this later.

During a lightly attended optional practice today, the Washington Capitals allowed William, a young boy from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, take the ice with some of his favorite childhood heroes. Above, watch as the talented youngster is given a chance to score on a breakaway against Semyon Varlamov. This may very well be the most precious thing I’ve ever seen.

S/T to @itallfallsdwn for the video and @rinkrebel for tweeting it out.

By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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