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  6. article_body => "<p>Two nights after opening the preseason with a loss in New Jersey, the Capitals will make a day trip to Montreal&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;for&nbsp;Game 2 of the exhibition season.<\/p>\n<p>And they\u2019ll ice a completely new group of players.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how Coach Barry Trotz will have them line up:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forwards<\/strong><br>Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Vrana<br>Simpson-Stephenson-Smith-Pelly<br>Connolly-Pilon-Wilson<br>Sill-Albert-Peluso<\/p>\n<p><strong>Defense<\/strong><br>Orpik-Hobbs<br>Jokipakka-Bowey<br>Siegenthaler-Williams<\/p>\n<p><strong>Goalies<\/strong><br>Grubauer<br>Copley<\/p>\n<p><em>RELATED: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-capitals\/preseason-game-2-capitals-canadiens-date-time-tv-channel-live-stream-game-thread\" target=\"_blank\">HOW TO WATCH WEDNESDAY'S PRESEASON GAME<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>A few notes and observations from the skate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Caps made the first roster move of the preseason Wednesday morning, returning 2014 seventh rounder Kevin Elgestal to HC Vita Hasten.&nbsp;On Monday&nbsp;night in New Jersey, Elgestal got pickpocketed by Devils first overall pick Nico Hischier on Hischier\u2019s nifty goal.<\/li>\n<li>Coach Barry Trotz said the first significant round of cuts is&nbsp;coming Thursday, followed by another round over the weekend. The roster currently stands at 39 forwards, 18 defensemen and 7 goalies.<\/li>\n<li>The stakes are high&nbsp;Wednesday&nbsp;night for a handful of players who are battling for spots. Among them: Vrana, Smith-Pelly, Peluso up front and Bowey on the backend. Vrana\u2019s getting a look on the top line, Smith-Pelly is coming off his best day of practice&nbsp;on Tuesday, Peluso has looked good so far and Bowey needs a strong showing in the preseason to lock down a spot.<\/li>\n<li>Trotz on Peluso, who is vying for the right wing spot on the fourth line: \u201cHe\u2019s got pretty good hands for a man that\u2019s known for other qualities. He\u2019s a student of the game, works on his game. I like what he\u2019s done in camp. We\u2019ll see how he does&nbsp;tonight.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Stephenson, a prospect who\u2019s appeared in 13 games for the Caps the past two seasons, is the only player who will have appeared in both of the first two exhibition games. Stephenson can play center and wing. He\u2019s also got to clear waivers in order to be sent to the minors. \u201cHe\u2019s got a skillset that is NHL ready,\u201d Trotz said. \u201cNow it\u2019s just can he showcase and be very consistent. If he does and has production, I think his chances are very good.\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>After taking a pair of faceoff penalties&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;night, Trotz said the coaches reviewed some video with the centers. There was also discussion about slashing fouls after the Caps were whistled for three infractions in Newark. \u201cPlayers are really smart, and they will adjust,\u201d Trotz said.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>MORE CAPITALS: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnmidatlantic.com\/washington-capitals\/jay-beagle-sees-method-madness-nhls-faceoff-emphasis\" target=\"_blank\">JAY BEAGLE SEES METHOD TO THE MADNESS OF NHL'S FACEOFF EMPHASIS<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n"
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Capitals

Capitals

Two nights after opening the preseason with a loss in New Jersey, the Capitals will make a day trip to Montreal on Wednesday for Game 2 of the exhibition season.

And they’ll ice a completely new group of players.

Here’s how Coach Barry Trotz will have them line up:

Forwards
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Vrana
Simpson-Stephenson-Smith-Pelly
Connolly-Pilon-Wilson
Sill-Albert-Peluso

Defense
Orpik-Hobbs
Jokipakka-Bowey
Siegenthaler-Williams

Goalies
Grubauer
Copley

RELATED: HOW TO WATCH WEDNESDAY'S PRESEASON GAME

A few notes and observations from the skate:

  • The Caps made the first roster move of the preseason Wednesday morning, returning 2014 seventh rounder Kevin Elgestal to HC Vita Hasten. On Monday night in New Jersey, Elgestal got pickpocketed by Devils first overall pick Nico Hischier on Hischier’s nifty goal.
  • Coach Barry Trotz said the first significant round of cuts is coming Thursday, followed by another round over the weekend. The roster currently stands at 39 forwards, 18 defensemen and 7 goalies.
  • The stakes are high Wednesday night for a handful of players who are battling for spots. Among them: Vrana, Smith-Pelly, Peluso up front and Bowey on the backend. Vrana’s getting a look on the top line, Smith-Pelly is coming off his best day of practice on Tuesday, Peluso has looked good so far and Bowey needs a strong showing in the preseason to lock down a spot.
  • Trotz on Peluso, who is vying for the right wing spot on the fourth line: “He’s got pretty good hands for a man that’s known for other qualities. He’s a student of the game, works on his game. I like what he’s done in camp. We’ll see how he does tonight.”
  • Stephenson, a prospect who’s appeared in 13 games for the Caps the past two seasons, is the only player who will have appeared in both of the first two exhibition games. Stephenson can play center and wing. He’s also got to clear waivers in order to be sent to the minors. “He’s got a skillset that is NHL ready,” Trotz said. “Now it’s just can he showcase and be very consistent. If he does and has production, I think his chances are very good.” 
  • After taking a pair of faceoff penalties Monday night, Trotz said the coaches reviewed some video with the centers. There was also discussion about slashing fouls after the Caps were whistled for three infractions in Newark. “Players are really smart, and they will adjust,” Trotz said.

 

MORE CAPITALS: JAY BEAGLE SEES METHOD TO THE MADNESS OF NHL'S FACEOFF EMPHASIS