The Washington Capitals were back hard on the ice working in preparation for their game on Thursday night from Nationwide Arena against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and you can catch the game on Monumental Sports Network.
Leading off head coach Spencer Carbery told The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan that Tom Wilson "should be" good to go for Thursday's game. Alex Ovechkin on the other hand skated Wednesday morning in a non contact drills with his favorite linemate in Nicklas Backstrom. Wilson wore a Bauer bubble for practice.
The #Gr8 road to recovery got a Swede assist today pic.twitter.com/4vjE2gvTm4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 11, 2024
Ovi eagerly requested a passer; undoubtedly, Backy was his top choice! pic.twitter.com/91A45QATXM
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 11, 2024
In additon the Capitals also hosted First Responders.
This morning, we happily welcomed over 100 first responders and their families from local EMS, Fire Protection and Law Enforcement departments to watch practice and chat with our guys.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 11, 2024
Today's visit was just a small token of our appreciation for everything they do.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7b9u2eMFKs
Wilson noted he has a small fracture in the sinus cavity of his face, and the Caps medical team wants him to wear the Bauer bubble for four weeks but he expects to be good to go for Thursday.
Wilson said to Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network:
"When I got home after the flight, oh man! It wasn't good. You know when you walk in to get a coffee somewhere and everyone is like...you can tell they are kinda looking at you funny. "Tom Wilson
Wilson on his swollen face: “When I got home after the flight, oh man! It wasn’t good. You know when you walk in to get a coffee somewhere and everyone is like…you can tell they are kinda looking at you funny.” #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 11, 2024
Carbery would comment on Ovechkin briefly to El-Bashir:
"I think Backy was in the building today and (Ovi) said he needed some help with getting some passes. So what better person to deliver in that moment."Spencer Carbery
Carbery would also say, "I don't know if he put in a request."
Our Caps fact of the day is about the goaltenders. Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson who have each earned three wins during their active seven game point streak from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7 posting a 6-0-1 record including wins at Florida against the Panthers, at Tampa Bay against the Lightning, at New Jersey against the Devils and at Toronto against the Maple LEafs.
This season, Lindgren (8-5-0) and Thompson (11-1-2), who have played 13 and 14 games, respectively, have combined for 19 wins. Washington's 19 wins are ied for the second most in the NHL, trailing only the Winnipeg Jets, who have played three more games.
The Capitals are the only team in the NHL to have two more goaltenders with eight or more wins, while nine clubs do not have a goaltender who has reached the eight win mark.