Washington Capitals

Spencer Carbery breaks down Capitals’ performance after first preseason game as head coach

The Capitals got their first taste of preseason action Sunday in a down-to-the-wire matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. After a late game-tying goal by Sonny Milano and a scoreless overtime, the Sabres ultimately emerged victorious in the shootout to win 4-3.

For Spencer Carbery, his first game as an NHL head coach offered an early chance to evaluate his team’s progress, albeit with a prospect-laden lineup. He offered a balanced take when speaking after the game, highlighting both where players shone and where they fell short.

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By Katie Adler 12 hours ago

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Sonny Milano is excited about his Capitals’ Chia Pet giveaway: ‘Everyone back home loves it. For sure I’ll keep it.’

Washington Capitals forward Sonny Milano dressed for the team’s first preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.

Milano’s on-ice talent was on full display as he scored a goal both in regulation and in the shootout. But it was his excitement about the Capitals’ upcoming Chia Pet giveaway that proved to be most memorable.

On January 11, 2024 against the Seattle Kraken, the Capitals will give all fans in attendance a “Milano Chia.” The terra cotta clay head is carved to look like the Capitals forward. If fans spread seeds on the top of Sonny’s clay head, a flowering plant will grow on the top of its head, emulating Milano’s real life curly hair.

The team announced the giveaway in their 2023-24 promotional calendar release in late August.

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By Chris Cerullo 14 hours ago

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Capitals lose preseason opener to Sabres 4-3 (SO) in Spencer Carbery’s coaching debut

The Washington Capitals lost to the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 (SO) in their first preseason game of the new campaign. In front of a half-full Capital One Arena, the Caps debuted a new, more-open, and quicker system under new head coach Spencer Carbery.

The game started sloppy as the matchup came three days into Training Camp for both teams, but the pace and rhythm improved as the action went on.

The Capitals were dealt one setback as veteran, third-pairing defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk was lost late in the third period after taking a shot to his right hand/wrist.

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By Ian Oland 16 hours ago

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The first Joe B Suit of the Night of the Monumental Network Era

After a five-month absence, the Washington Capitals were back on the ice for their first preseason game of the new year. The Capitals faced off against the Buffalo Sabres for a 2 pm Sunday matinee.

Having Capitals hockey back is great, don’t get me wrong, but having Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin figuratively back in my living room, makes me feel like I have friends again.

This is why I’m dedicating an entire post to Joe Beninati’s first suit of the year. Sure, this is a preseason game, but this is the linen appetizer to what will be our main cloth dish in October. We must gaze in admiration at our Play-By-Play King.

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By Ian Oland 17 hours ago

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Open Thread: Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres preseason game

The Washington Capitals open their preseason slate with a 2 pm matinee game against the Buffalo Sabres, Sunday.

The game will be aired live on Monumental Sports Network (formerly known as NBC Sports Washington) with Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin with the call.

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By Ian Oland 19 hours ago

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TJ Oshie on recovering from back injury: ‘I feel like my old self’

ARLINGTON, VA — Three days into training camp, TJ Oshie says he feels miles away from the injuries that plagued his 2022-23 campaign.

After missing more than a quarter of last season with a lingering back injury, Oshie underwent a minimally-invasive procedure to address it last April. The procedure didn’t require significant recovery, giving him a full offseason to train for the first time in half a decade. Fast forward to training camp, and Oshie told reporters that time had paid off.

“I feel great. I feel strong. I feel good. I feel healthy,” he said, “There’s no second guessing by me out there.”

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By Katie Adler 22 hours ago

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Capitals announce roster for first preseason game under head coach Spencer Carbery

After only three days of on-ice Training Camp, the Washington Capitals will host their first game of the 2023 preseason.

Sunday, the Capitals will take on the Buffalo Sabres at Capital One Arena as Spencer Carbery makes his head coaching debut with the team.

The Capitals will sport a lineup that features a combination of veteran NHL players, minor leaguers, and prospects.

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By Ian Oland 2 days ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov speaks frankly on trade request in Russian language interview: ‘Rumors don’t just come out of nowhere’

Last March, a Russian report dropped from outlet Match TV saying that Evgeny Kuznetsov had requested a trade from the Washington Capitals for consecutive seasons. After six months with little new information, we have finally received some clarity from the man himself.

Before returning to DC for Training Camp, Kuznetsov sat down with former Capitals forward and team Russian amateur scout (per Elite Prospects) Andrei Nikolishin and the rest of the Slippery Ice crew. In the Russian-language interview (and the transcription by sports.ru,) he reveals that he never directly requested a trade but did have a lengthy, honest chat with general manager Brian MacLellan.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 days ago

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Anthony Mantha hasn’t been the star the Capitals hoped for when they traded for him: ‘That player’s here (now)’

When the Washington Capitals acquired Anthony Mantha from the Detroit Red Wings in April 2021, they thought they were getting a talented playmaker who would fully blossom into a star without having to be The Man in DC.

“He’s the main guy (with Detroit) and there’s probably a little pressure on him to produce,” Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said after the trade happened. “I think he comes here and he’s just got to fit in. He’s going to have a veteran group of players. I think he’s going to learn from those veterans. I think we have a good leadership group of older guys that have been around. We have a lot of guys that have won a Cup. So I think it’s up to him to fit in, play well, relax, and compete and I think everything will work out.”

Except, everything hasn’t worked out. In three seasons with the Caps, Mantha has scored only 24 goals and 58 points in 118 games, struggling through injury and major bouts of inconsistency. Mantha hit his low point in 2022-23 when Peter Laviolette healthy-scratched him multiple times. MacLellan even looked to deal Mantha over the summer, but could find no takers.

Now, Mantha is doing everything he can to become the player he once was as he enters the final season of a four-year, $22.8 million contract.

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By Ian Oland 2 days ago

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Capitals believe Connor McMichael is ready for full-time jump to NHL, plan to eventually make room for him at center

Connor McMichael is primed for his fourth season as a professional hockey player after being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The Caps opened their Training Camp on Thursday and have made it clear that they believe the 22-year-old forward is finally ready for the full-time jump to the NHL.

Both new head coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Brian MacLellan have spoken about McMichael’s growth as a player. They have also acknowledged his natural position of center which he has rarely gotten the opportunity to play in the NHL.

The praise comes after McMichael took a bit of a step back last year as he got into just six NHL games compared to the 68 he played in his rookie season. But, under a new, more familiar coaching regime, McMichael appears to be set up for more long-term success.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 days ago

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