Friday practice update from KCI
The Caps are working on special teams at Kettler Capitals Iceplex this morning, just as Coach Bruce Boudreau suggested they might. The first power-play unit: Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich. The second: Alexander Semin, John Carlson, Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Fehr and Matt Hendricks.
Boyd Gordon and Tom Poti are the only players not participating in this morning's practice. Matt Bradley (lower-body injury) was doing drills with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish before practice began and has remained on the ice with the group. Green (upper-body injury) is taking part in full practice as well.
The forward combinations look the same as last night, with a few tweaks to the defensive pairings. Here's what the lines and pairings look like:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Laich-Johansson-Semin
Chimera-Fleischmann-Fehr
Hendricks/King-Steckel-Bradley
Schultz-Green
Alzner-Carlson
Sloan-Erskine
By
Katie Carrera
| October 22, 2010; 11:27 AM ET
Categories:
Power play
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Katie,
You said only two missing players but I don't see BGordon anywhere in the lines you posted. Is he still out?
Posted by: PhilR | October 22, 2010 11:40 AM | Report abuse
Boyd Gordon is one of the players she says is missing.
Posted by: ThePat | October 22, 2010 11:43 AM | Report abuse
@PhilR
katie said gordon and poti are missing practice
Posted by: _stevo | October 22, 2010 11:44 AM | Report abuse
glad to see Green back and practicing the PP! Lord knows we need his help!
Posted by: capscoach | October 22, 2010 11:47 AM | Report abuse
Did they ever say what happened to Hendricks last night when he limped to the locker room with like 5 minutes left? It was after blocking a shot, so Im assuming just some pain from the block...but did they ever say?
Posted by: SeminAllOverTheIce | October 22, 2010 11:53 AM | Report abuse
I don't get this "ovie is taking super long shifts" yes he did it last season, but not so much this season...I have noticed that he is really only on ice for 30-45 seconds a shift. As for last night...he was not CHOOSING to stay out there...he got stuck which is a completely different issue...and it wasn't like the D or his linemates were helping him either! Like I said...if he has chosen to stay out on the ice I would understand Milburry's comments, but also why single out Ovie there...Backstrom, Knuble, and the D were in the same boat.
I don't listen to Milburry b/c his criticism is powered by his zenophobia, personal issues with BB, and the fact that he wouldn't throw the caps a compliment if we won the SC in 16 games!
Posted by: capscoach | October 22, 2010 11:58 AM | Report abuse
@semin
well at least he is practicing today. I have to admit that cstanton was right in his assesment of the guy...he has been a pleasant surprise.
Posted by: capscoach | October 22, 2010 11:59 AM | Report abuse
Man, I need to learn how to read! I skipped right on over and thought it was Poti and Bradley listed.....Thank god it's Friday, I need a weekend!
Posted by: PhilR | October 22, 2010 12:02 PM | Report abuse
Ovie takes long shifts and has this year too. I dont mind a longer shift now and then...but the overly long ones dont help.
Last night when they got stuck, it was AFTER they were out too long. They could have changed earlier, but didnt, and then got stuck. Getting stuck is the risk of taking a long shift.
Posted by: SeminAllOverTheIce | October 22, 2010 12:04 PM | Report abuse
Ovie does get stuck out there sometimes, but most of the time he can change but chooses not to
Posted by: _stevo | October 22, 2010 12:21 PM | Report abuse
@_stevo
I totally agree.
Posted by: SeminAllOverTheIce | October 22, 2010 12:24 PM | Report abuse
I would bet dollars to donuts that if u compared average shift length from this season to last, it would show how much better he is doing with it.
Posted by: capscoach | October 22, 2010 12:28 PM | Report abuse
My hope got high to see Green back which would normally mean Sloan goes back to the hot dog cart. And then just like that my hopes and joys are stolen away, come back Poti.
Posted by: bqts | October 22, 2010 12:56 PM | Report abuse
So did Poti injure himself again or is this just a "maintenance day?" Tell me again why a roster spot was wasted on Bgordo? Not even ten games in and the guy is sidelined again.
Posted by: PhilR | October 22, 2010 1:00 PM | Report abuse
So having read Ted's Take today who's butt is on the hot seat now GmGm or BB or maybe even both
Posted by: bqts | October 22, 2010 1:07 PM | Report abuse
Rypien suspended 6 games, Canucks fined 25K.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/NHL-hands-Rypien-6-game-ban-Canucks-fined-25K?urn=nhl-279209
Posted by: nicety251 | October 22, 2010 1:23 PM | Report abuse
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