The Capitals got back to work with an upbeat skate before a three-game road swing.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — With a big Metropolitan Division showdown in Philadelphia on Thursday, the Washington Capitals got back to work with an upbeat practice on Wednesday that saw a lot of positives and a key player continuing to make progress.
Washington saw Max Pacioretty take the ice in a non-contact jersey again, marking his first full practice with the team. He'd joined the group for the first time at Saturday's morning skate, though he wasn't a full participant.
Pacioretty was an active participant in practice, moving with speed and efficiency and even, despite the powder blue jersey, taking down Martin Fehervary in a puck battle. He was met with stick taps and excitement from his teammates, who watched him continue to take major strides forward as he recovers from his re-torn Achilles.
He will travel with the team on its upcoming three-game road trip and is expected to return to the lineup in the next 2-3 weeks, per head coach Spencer Carbery. Carbery is also starting to ponder potential lines and special teams combinations involving No. 67.
The lines, meanwhile, remain intact:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Sonny Milano-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Washington also experimented with some tweaks on the power play. Alex Ovechkin was not only in his office, but also moving up in the slot. Carbery wouldn't confirm if this would translate to game action, but did indicate the team was still evaluating change given the lack of success on the man advantage this season.