Caps finished practice here at Kettler Iceplex on Friday and are headed to the airport for a short flight to Columbus. Big topic today was forward Jason Chimera, who is playing against his former team for the first time – the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Chimera is dealing with about two minutes less ice time per game in Washington than he did in Columbus yet since that Dec. 28 trade he has six goals and nine assists. Not bad for a left wing who might have to play on the fourth line in the playoffs.
“He’s got the same numbers in less time on ice. That’s sometimes a big difference,” said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “To me he fits that third or fourth line because he’s big and his skating is strong. It’s something that come playoff time is very important…I think [fourth line left wing is] a possibility if you look at our lineup and personnel. If that’s the case that means we have a strong team.”
In other news, center Mathieu Perreault was sent back to AHL Hershey. Perreault scored two goals in three games, but his impact is still better in short bursts at this point, according to Boudreau. Perreault didn’t register a point Thursday, but was credited with a hit and two takeaways. Also was drilled by Atlanta’s Colby Armstrong with an extended arm – or elbow – to the head. Bruce Boudreau didn’t like it and said so afterwards. Perreault was seen shaking his head on the bench. Armstrong was not penalized for the hit.
Caps winger Tomas Fleischmann confirmed that he simply lost an edge during Thursday’s 2-1 win over the Thrashers. Kind of a scary moment because Fleischmann said he fell into the boards and that he’s seen players in the past break their collar bone on just that kind of play. But he jumped up, realized he was okay and then missed some time for equipment repairs. Skates sharpened he was back on the ice later in the second period.
Limited day of practice at Kettler. Most of the big-name players – Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Knuble etc. – took the day off. Injured players Brendan Morrison (lower-body), John Carlson (upper body) and Boyd Gordon (back) are all expected to participate in the morning skate for Saturday’s game – though all will likely still sit out. Forward Scott Walker (knee) could be back “early next week,” Boudreau said. Defenseman Milan Jurcina (double hernia surgery) could start skating next week.
Funny scene after practice when about 100 kids – most area schools are on spring break this week – started chanting “Varly, Varly” for Caps rookie goalie Semyon Varlamov. Their pleas were audible around the corner in the Caps dressing room so Varlamov walked out to a big cheer and signed some autographs for about 15 minutes. The fans even spilled over the gate that bars the public from the bench areas until Caps officials could get the crowd under some sort of – limited – order.
