ARLINGTON, V.A. — After a day off to recover from their California road swing, the Washington Capitals got back to work on Monday with a busy practice.
However, the team is left with some lineup questions going into Tuesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, as Dylan Strome and Ethen Frank both missed practice due to illness.
Per coach Spencer Carbery, the team is hoping that Strome will play and that Frank will be available to the club if needed. Frank has been a healthy scratch since the acquisition of Anthony Beauvillier.
"Hopefully, it's just a 24-48 hour thing... we'll have to see how they progress," Carbery said.
Washington would have either run 11 forwards and seven defensemen or make a recall if neither Strome nor Frank are available for Tuesday's tilt.
After a busy skate, captain Alex Ovechkin took some time to speak about the record, and said that the team is feeling optimistic going into this final stretch.
"We concentrate game by game," Ovechkin said, adding that it's not a big subject matter in the dressing room.
Washington currently sits first in the Eastern Confernece after capturing four of six possible points on its California road swing.