The Washington Capitals are just days away from the start of the 2024-25 season as they prepare for Saturday night’s home opener. After setting their Opening Night roster on Monday, the Caps have had several days of practice to finalize their lineup before they hit the ice.
Head coach Spencer Carbery has kept the team’s first, second, and fourth lines constant, but Sonny Milano and Jakub Vrana continue to rotate in practice on the third line’s left side.
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When asked Thursday about the rotating forwards, Carbery declined to make a call on who would play Opening Night. But while he wouldn’t offer a firm decision, Carbery went on to highlight the organization’s trust in Milano, suggesting he could get the first shot at that third line role.
“Yeah, we’ll see where it goes, but like I said before, I’m not going to make any 100 percent commitments to the lineup at this point in the week,” Carbery said. “But Sonny has a lot of credibility with our coaching staff, with this team. He had a solid year. I think it tailed off a little bit in the playoffs for him, but, I mean, it tailed off for a lot of guys in the playoffs for us.
“So him getting first crack and an opportunity to be in the lineup Opening Night — again, I’m not going to commit to anything lineup wise, but he’s got some credibility with us. So whether he had a great preseason or he’s easing his way back into it, there’s a confidence level that when the puck drops for real that he’ll put his best on display.”
After a slow start to the 2023-24 season, Milano went on something of a hot streak in March and April. He recorded 12 points (9g, 3a) in those two months — including his first NHL hat trick — to end the campaign with 23 total points (15g, 8a). He’s struggled to regain that form in the preseason, however, leading Carbery to criticize his performance after his first two exhibition games.
“He’s got to turn it on,” Carbery said then. “I know we’ve got a little bit longer time, two weeks before we open up, but definitely going to need to see him get into his full regular season game mode quickly.”
Vrana, meanwhile, made a splash in the preseason, earning a contract after joining Training Camp on a PTO. Drafted 13th overall by the Capitals in 2014, Vrana returns to Washington after spending several years in the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues’ organizations.
“He’s had a great attitude,” Carbery said of Vrana on Monday. “He’s worked extremely hard, had a good Training Camp. [I] saw some of the things that he could potentially do individually, but also some areas that he can help us as a team. I’m proud of him and the way he competed.”
If Vrana makes it into the Opening Night lineup, it would be his first game as a Capital since April 11th, 2021.
The Capitals also got some good news on the goaltending front on Thursday, with Carbery confirming that Logan Thompson is expected to return to practice on Friday. Thompson has been absent from practice this week for personal/family reasons.
“He should be back tomorrow and practice tomorrow,” Carbery said.
Other highlights from the skate included a visit from Nicklas Backstrom, who watched the first half of practice from the mezzanine, as well as another partial-rink scrimmage between Red and White. Thursday’s mini-scrimmage ended in a shootout with a win for a celebrating White Team.
The team will hold their last full practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday before facing the New Jersey Devils Saturday night.
