TJ Oshie is feeling better and is expected to play Tues vs LA #Kings #Blues
Oshie scored a goal and an assist in his last game, playing through his wrist injury. Missing practice today is just a maintenance day.
Washington Capitals News
Wrist injury is why Oshie left in the 1st period last night. He returned anf scored the Blues' second goal. Said after game nothing serious.
Oshie may miss tomorrow's game due to precautionary measures. The Mount Vernon, Washington native scored six goals and 13 points which includes a two-point effort in last night's overtime loss.
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Backstrom moves down to the second line. Following a six-game point streak the former 4th overall pick has not produced a point for three games.
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Ovechkin once again gets new linemates as his struggles continue. Will he break out of his slump where he only produced one assist over five games?
Nicklas Backstrom named NHL third star of week
Backstrom leads the Capitals with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) and had three goals and three assists in three games last week. [Capitals Watch]
Line Change
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Oshie moves back onto the top line with David Backes and Vladimir Sobotka. The Washington native has one goal and five points through his last 10 games.
Alex Ovechkin left practice briefly Monday after suffering a cut to his forehead, above his right eye, but returned quickly to finish the remainder of the drills. Ovechkin did not take part in the bag skate at the conclusion of the workout, however.
Doesn't sound like anything serious and certainly won't keep Ovi out of the lineup. Through seven games he has three goals and seven points.
Line Change
Blues coach Davis Payne benched the winger for the entire second period, and while he declined to give a reason for it after the game, it seemed to stem from a turnover by Oshie late in the final minute of the opening period.
Oshie has struggled under coach Davis Payne in the past for one reason or another. At this point he looks like a player who will never truly break out in St. Louis; don't hold out for anything more than 20 goals and 50 points.
Line Change
Eller-Plekanec-Cole
Eller moves up to the top line and could pot a few goals playing alongside an excellent playmaker. Last year, the former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points over his first 77 games as a Hab. Look for him to improve on those totals.
Based on similar players, it looks like Carlson might take a step back this season, which makes sense because he played against the toughest competition the team faced at even strength and dominated despite being a rookie. Performances like that are usually subject to some regression.
Carlson might be due for a regression before continuing his development into a very solid NHL defender. Last season he scored seven goals and 37 points through 80 games. He already holds one assist through two games but loses PP time to Dennis Wideman on the second unit.
Line Change
Eller-Engqvist-Palushaj
Eller will return to the lineup and start on the fourth line. Last year, the former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points over his first 77 games as a Hab. Expected to get the first crack at the top line, Eller continues to get some tough love and will need to re-earn his playing time.
“I think he’s got a long way to go to get to where he needs to be and should be,” Boudreau said after Ovechkin was a minus-2 in the Capitals’ wild 6-5 shootout win over the Lightning. “He’s our No. 1 player, but he can be better, there’s no doubt about it.”
The Caps are scoring at a higher rate again but Ovechkin is not contributing enough for coach Bruce Boudreau's liking. Through his first two games, the superstar has contributed to only one of the team's 10 goals and holds a minus-2 rating despite the teams +2 goal differential.
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Lars Eller, who has recovered from off-season shoulder surgery, will return Thursday, and general manager Pierre Gauthier will have to summon a player from Hamilton or go hunting elsewhere.
Eller will return and play his first game of the season. Last year, the former 13th overall pick scored seven goals and 17 points over his first 77 games as a Hab. He should get the first crack at replacing Cammalleri on the top line.
Ovi on top line
Sounds like Ovechkin will play tonight. Last season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.
Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin is expected to arrive on a direct flight from Moscow to Washington-Dulles airport Friday afternoon and the club’s plan is to have him in the lineup Saturday night for its season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ovechkin could decide not to play the season opener, which would open the door for one of Marcus Johansson or Mathieu Perreault. Last season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.
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Working with Berglund and Stewart, two powerful forwards with considerable offensive ability of their own, should give Oshie ample room to operate.
Oshie starts the season on the second line but should produce regardless. Last season he scored 12 goals and 34 points through 49 games including nine PP. Expect all of those totals to improve with a full season with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.
Alex Ovechkin will miss at least three days of practice while he attends to his family following the death of his uncle, but is hoping to return from Russia on Friday and play in the Capitals’ regular season opener Saturday night at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ovechkin will not miss a game due to his family tragedy. ast season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.
Line Change
"This is a situation that we've talked about," Payne said. "(Colaiacovo) is a guy that is effective there. But you look at a scenario where a guy (Oshie) gets in and does the job, that's where the internal pressure exists.
Oshie will start the season on the point of the top PP unit. Last season he scored 12 goals and 34 points through 49 games including nine PP. Expect all of those totals to improve with a full season with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.
Alex Ovechkin will be returning to Moscow to attend to his family after the death of a close relative in Moscow, Russia
Early reports indicate Ovechkin will not miss the season opener. Last season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.
Call up / Send down
As expected, defenseman Dylan McIlrath, the 10th overall pick in the 2010 draft, was returned to his junior club, Moose Jaw, of the Western Hockey League.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the WHL
