Your savory breakfast links:
- Notes and assorted whatnot from Wednesday’s optional practice:
- In general. [Capitals Report (audio), Caps365 (Hunter, Ovechkin), RtR]
- But there was really only one storyline at Kettler as the team and its fans anxiously awaited word on the condition of Nicklas Backstrom‘s noggin.
- Backstrom was “evaluated” and is presently listed as day-to-day. [WaPo, WashTimes (and again)]
- Jay Beagle speaks from experience … [WashTimes]
- … the players speak about their response when Rene Bourque jammed his elbow into Backstrom’s jaw … [WaPo, WashTimes]
- … the pundits speak about the response they would have preferred… [DSP, CSNW]
- … and the NHL Department of Player Safety speaks to the severity of Bourque’s action by announcing a 5-game suspension. [Japers’ Rink (video), WashTimes (transcript), NHL.com, ESPN, Puck Daddy]
- Here’s to a modest four-game winning streak. Don’t make any sudden moves. [WaPo]
- Game changer. [RtR]
- This and that. [Dump ‘n Chase]
- A double-headed Russian Weagle is rising over America’s Hockey Capital. [Sick Unbelievable]
- Has the Caps’ power play turned that proverbial corner? [KOL]
- He said, he said on the latest Alex Ovechkin nontroversy. [NHL.com, Puck Daddy, WashTimes]
- Dennis Wideman stopped by for a chat on NHL Home Ice…[NHL.com]
- … and Brooks Laich did his Sports Junkies spot. [106.7 The Fan]
- The Hershey Bears are gearing up for their own Outdoor Classic:
- Keith Aucoin is literally gearing up. [Patriot-News]
- Braden Holtby is your starter, and will most likely be facing Michael Leighton. [Patriot-News]
- Boyd Kane and Ryan Potulny have some Philly ties and can’t wait to play hockey in the baseball stadium. [Patriot-News]
- The rosters were announced for the AHL All-Star Game. Congrats to Keith Aucoin, Chris Bourque, and playing captain Boyd Kane. [The AHL]
- Evgeny Kuznetsov is tearing it up at the WJCs for the second year in a row, and his success is apparently a bitter pill for some to swallow. Fortunately, cooler heads have prevailed. [Japers’ Rink, Buzzing the Net, Scotty Wazz, Hell on Ice, Nick On Sports, hockey yelling]
- But it’s not just about one game. Kuznetsov can bring it. [Sportsnet.ca, Buzzing the Net, Fox Sports, ESPN Insider $]
- And the card collectors are taking notice. [Canada Card World]
- Finally, happy 24th birthday to Mathieu Perreault, happy 37th to Mike Grier and happy 44th to JoƩ Juneau.