It's beginning to look a lot like the Winter Classic

 

This morning's pregame skate at Kettler was a full house for the Capitals, complete with new Rudolph-Red helmets and Winter Classic hockey pants. 13 forwards, 7 defensemen, 2 goalies, and 4 coaches were on ice.

 

A. Gordo with your dome so bright....

The lines were:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin

Laich-Perreault-Knuble

Chimera-Johansson-Gordon

Beagle-Steckel-Bradley/King

Some random notes:

• Don't expect the D pairings to change even with Tyler Sloan back on ice.
• Dean Evason was working with Perreault and Johansson on faceoffs, then Steckel and Beagle. He and Woods were especially keen on giving Johansson pointers, likely to help his 40% faceoff win % mark.
• Where's Hendricks?
• Chimera looks about ready to break out of his slump, roofing shootout moves.
• Green signed autographs after practice.
• Schultz came out after practice and skated.
• King and Sloan were out with Varlamov, Evason, and Irbe for extra work. It looks like Neuvy is starting vs the Devils.
• It's funny to see the assistant coaches doing windsprints with DJ King

M Green, Rockin the Red (pants)