The Caps had an optional practice today as they try to fix a lot of issues they had last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Their power play went 0-5 last night and they gave up a goal on the penalty kill so they had plenty of film to watch.  The Capitals who skated this morning were: 85, 83, 3, 30, 1, 21, 46, 42, 10, 17, 6, 62, 26, 27, 89, 25, 55, 18, 16, 4, 22.

John Carlson who was hurt late in the second period last night and only returned for a few seconds in the third period and couldn’t go didn’t skate today.  He is day to day and Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau said there is a pretty good chance Carlson could play tomorrow, but said he wasn’t 100 percent sure.  On if Dennis Wideman or Tom Poti could play if Carlson couldn’t, Boudreau said “”I don’t think so, not tomorrow anyway.”  Watch for Sean Collins to make his playoff debut if Carlson can’t go tomorrow.  Boudreau said he’s hoping Mike Knuble could be back pretty soon.  Boudreau also said if the series goes long he thinks Knuble will play before its over.

The Capitals host the Lightning in game two tomorrow at 7pm from Verizon Center.  The Lightning are 4-0 when scoring the first goal in the playoffs and have won four playoff games in a row, the Caps to be successful need to come out a lot stronger in the first and get the first goal.  Nicklas Backstrom also has one assist and zero goals in six playoff games and the Caps really need him to start contributing offensively.  Alex Ovechkin had seven shots blocked yesterday and a lot had to do with taking far shots and not getting to the net.  Yesterday was also the first time the Caps lost in regulation all season when Alexander Semin has scored a goal.  The Lightning have stopped 39 of 40 penalties this postseason to lead the league.

Check out what Bruce Boudreau, Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom, Jason Arnott, Karl Alzner, Mike Knuble and Eric Fehr had to say following practice today.

Bruce Boudreau Practice Audio

Alex Ovechkin Practice Audio

Mike Green Practice Audio

Nicklas Backstrom Practice RAW

Jason Arnott Practice RAW

Karl Alzner Practice RAW

Eric Fehr Practice RAW

Mike Knuble Practice RAW

Sky Kerstein is 106.7 The FAN’s Capitals Beat Reporter and co-host of “Morning Skate” every Sunday from 9am-10am on 106.7 The FAN.  Also you can find video recaps of every Caps game and post-game interviews on www.1067thefandc.com.  You can get in touch with Sky on Facebook or via Twitter at www.twitter.com/SkyKerstein.