The NHL’s action returns as teams, including the Washington Capitals and the New Jersey Devils, resume play following the holiday break. This Saturday marks the first day back after the NHL’s annual three-day holiday pause. The Capitals gathered at Dulles International Airport early in the morning for their flight to New Jersey, where they conducted a morning skate at Prudential Center. This event marked the team’s first practice since their 7-3 defeat against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Capitals’ Morning Skate Insights
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery noted the importance of the morning skate. “We went a little bit longer,” he said, referring to the additional drills aimed at shaking off the rust. It’s critical to balance practice with rest after a break. Carbery emphasized, “Just going an extra five minutes isn’t that big of an adjustment, but it helps players get back into game mode.”
The break extended beyond the usual two days, allowing players some travel time home, albeit with the inconvenience of day-of travel for their game. Carbery shared his experiences, saying, “I learned you do not leave the day before a game. When they say travel day of, they mean travel day of.” This adds to the challenge of coming back ready to perform.
Upcoming Challenges for the Capitals
The Capitals face a demanding schedule leading up to the Olympic break in early February. Starting with tonight’s matchup in Newark, they will play 22 games within 41 days. Currently, the Capitals are struggling, having recorded only one win in their last seven games (1-4-2), landing in seventh place within a tightly contested Eastern Conference. “These games are massively important,” Carbery remarked, focusing on the immediate challenges ahead.
- The Capitals will play four games against teams directly behind them in conference standings.
- This stretch of 22 games will significantly impact their postseason hopes.
Both the players and coaching staff recognize the urgency of their situation. Defenseman John Carlson mentioned the need to navigate the initial moments of the game effectively, stating, “You may not feel your best self at first, but early ice time helps.” The Capitals must capitalize on opportunities, especially against rivals within the conference.
IIHF World Junior Championship Update
Meanwhile, the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship is underway with six Capitals’ prospects participating. Contestants include:
- Defenseman Cole Hutson and goaltender Nicholas Kempf for Team USA.
- Leon Muggli representing Switzerland.
- Milton Gastrin for Sweden.
- Petr Sikora, the captain of the Czechia team.
- Maxim Schafer playing for Germany.
In their opening game, Hutson contributed significantly to Team USA’s 6-3 victory over Germany. Sikora also had a productive outing with a goal and an assist despite Czechia’s loss to Team Canada.
Goaltending Matchup for Tonight’s Game
Logan Thompson is expected to start in net for the Capitals against the Devils. Since last season, Thompson has performed well with a .910 save percentage when given three days of rest. He enters the game after allowing three or more goals in consecutive outings. Likewise, Jake Allen will be the starting goalie for New Jersey, holding a .909 save percentage in similar circumstances this season.
Projected Lineups
| Washington Capitals | New Jersey Devils |
|---|---|
| Forwards: McMichael, Ovechkin, Sourdif, Protas, Strome, Wilson, Leonard, Dowd, Frank, Duhaime, Lapierre, Beauvillier | Forwards: Meier, Hischier, Mercer, Palat, J. Hughes, Bratt, Gritsyuk, Glass, Brown, Cotter, Glendening, Noesen |
| Defensemen: Fehervary, Carlson, Chychrun, Roy, Sandin, van Riemsdyk | Defensemen: L. Hughes, Pesce, Siegenthaler, Hamilton, Dillon, White |
| Goalie: Thompson | Goalie: Allen |
As the Capitals take the ice tonight, they understand the importance of this game in their journey through a challenging stretch, aiming to regain their competitive edge in the Eastern Conference.
