One more preseason game for the Capitals is behind them and Coach has had a good look at six prospects for the Caps roster. The line up for Wednesday:
So how did the prospects do? Here’s our take, including some of your thoughts:
Vrana: He looked good when he stepped in for Oshie on the power play. Kid can shoot, now just need to see more get in the back of the net. He has good hands – the puck just glides with him.
Boyd: We still aren’t seeing anything from him. Not sure why there is so much buzz for him.
Graovac – still one of our top contenders. He scored the first goal for the Caps after a scoreless first period. He is making it clear he wants to stay.
Peluso : More impressed with Anthony Wednesday. Still not all the way in.
Ness: We are still unimpressed. What are we missing???
Bowey – look we like him. We think he has potential but as smooth as he is on the ice and as much as he plays both ends, we are left wanting more. Maybe a good seventh D?
This is the time for these guys to show that they are the best to slide into the vacant slots. With only four forward and three defensemen positions open, the competition is tight and each needed to step it up tonight. We want to see how Walker and Siegenthaler do and then we think the cuts will come.
First period was a disaster. Three penalty kills that the totally blew. Period ended 4-0 Devils with Holtby in the net. The second period was a slight improvement. Tyler Graovac, with an assist from Jay Beagle, finally got the Caps on the board. However, it was sad to see a power play with 92 19 77 8 and 74 (with a tradeout of 77 for 13) unable to come close to scoring. Period ended with three more Caps penalties and two from the Devils–two of them were matching penalties. 4-1 end of second. So that brings us to the third period and the penalties kept coming. Caps with two and Devils with one. Final score 4-1 Devils
Orpik had a bit of a tussle He took a minor and a 10 minute penalty for game misconduct.
Oh, and of course we had a first D.C. sighting of Marcus Johansson–just too weird for us…Before the game Backstrom told CSN that he would: “Give him a little tap on the back to say ‘welcome back'” sigh…
Even though he scored on the Capitals first, and we shouldn’t be excited, it was pretty exciting to see the number one draft pick play. The kid has some chops on him!!
Let’s end this on a beautiful moment note when this dad surprises his little girl. No matter what, this made it a great night!
Amazing photos of Lt. Joe Lemanek after he surprised his daughter Kaitlyn! #ALLCAPS
ICYMI: https://t.co/7aVcfzEUCA pic.twitter.com/P9YU1HzspR— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 28, 2017
The Capitals play the Hurricanes on Friday in Raleigh. The final cuts could be made before but certainly will occur shortly after this game. Lets hope they have a better showing.
And then it’s on to the regular season!!!!
Photos by Mel Abernethy