Backy’s back, all right!
You guys, Nicklas Backstrom will play in Game Five. Backstrom has been out since the second period of Game One after taking a late, blindside hit from Anders Lee. Backstrom suffered a concussion on the play.
He’s back.
John Carlson will make his 2020 playoffs debut Wednesday in Game One of the Washington Capitals’ first-round series against the New York Islanders. Carlson has not played since July 29 when he got tangled and awkwardly fell into the boards during the Capitals’ only exhibition game in the bubble.
Todd Reirden announced that Vitek Vanecek will backup Braden Holtby and take the net in the third period of the Capitals’ exhibition game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Wednesday. Reirden is giving the opportunity to Vanceck over veteran Pheonix Copley, who backed up Holtby for the entirety of the 2018-19 season before losing the job to Ilya Samsonov at the start of the season.
Vanecek’s “in a good spot” to be the backup during the playoffs, Reirden said.
Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden appears to have set his initial forward lines nine days before the team is scheduled to fly to Toronto for the 24-team playoff.
Reirden continues to group the 2018 Stanley Cup trio of Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Tom Wilson together on the first line while Nicklas Backstrom has been reunited with his normal partners on the second. And yes, the HEK line is back.
Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden may have tipped his hand on how he’d like his top six to line up in the 2020 playoffs.
According to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Tom Wilson skated together on the first line while Nicklas Backstrom skated on the second in the team’s first session today. Backstrom appears likely to skate with Jakub Vrana and TJ Oshie, who were on the first line of the second practice group with Travis Boyd.
Michal Kempny appears likely to be a healthy scratch against the Philadelphia Flyers this Wednesday as head coach Todd Reirden continues to experiment with his defensive pairs. For much of the season, Kempny skated with John Carlson on the first pair.
Kempny’s exit means Jonas Siegenthaler will remain in the lineup while Radko Gudas will get a jersey again.
Tuesday, Ilya Kovlachuk took the ice for the first time at MedStar Capitals Iceplex after being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick.
During the Capitals’ morning skate, head coach Todd Reirden placed Kovalchuk on the third line right wing, bumping Richard Panik out of the spot. Kovalchuk skated with Carl Hagelin and Lars Eller.
The Russian forward will make his Capitals debut tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. Alex Ovechkin will be honored pregame for becoming the eighth player in NHL history to score 700 goals.
Losers of five of their last six games, Ilya Samsonov (16-4-1) will get the start in goal on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. Saturday will mark Samsonov’s 23rd birthday.
Braden Holtby (21-13-5), who has been spectacular lately, will get the nod against the first-place Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Washington Capitals’ newest acquisition, Brenden Dillon, participated in his first practice with the team, Thursday morning.
Dillon, who joined the Capitals from the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, was matched on the first pairing with John Carlson. The 29-year-old pivot will make his Capitals debut tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.
Jonas Siegenthaler was the odd D-man out.
By Donya Abramo and Ian Oland 8 months ago
Evgeny Kuznetsov fully practiced with his Capitals teammates on Sunday, but he will not play Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights, per head coach Todd Reirden.
It will be Kuzy’s third-straight game missed due to an upper-body injury.
