The Capitals took the ice today after taking yesterday off and not playing since their 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The Caps, winners of three of their last four, host the Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Flyers tomorrow who are 7-3-0 in their last ten games.  The Caps beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 in Philadelphia earlier this season in their only meeting so far.

The forward lines were the same today at practice: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin, Brouwer-Johansson-Halpern, Chimera-Laich-Ward, Hendricks-Eakin-Perreault-Knuble.  The seven healthy defenseman, Alzner, Carlson, Hamrlik, Orlov, Erskine, Wideman & Schultz, all skated today.  Mike Green did not skate today

Matt Hendricks, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, skated in his second practice in a row and Capitals Head Coach Dale Hunter said on the chances Hendricks will play tomorrow, “He looked good out there today, I haven’t talked to Smitty [Capitals Head Trainer Greg Smith] yet, but we’ll have to wait and see”.

Green last skated on Thursday, has missed 20 of his last 21 games including 14 in a row.  Capitals Head Coach Dale Hunter said that Green went to see a “specialist”, called it a “good sign” and said that Green will meet them on the two game road trip to Winnipeg & Colorado and is still “day-to-day”, but no timetable for his return.  The Caps are 8-0-0 with Green in the line up.

Forward Jay Beagle, who hasn’t played since suffering a concussion October 13th, skated with the team today before practice.  Beagle, who isn’t cleared for contact, watched practice from the bench and Hunter said he’s had “no problems” and there is no timetable.

Caps defenseman John Carlson was named the NHL’s third star of the week.  Carlson had seven points (one goal, six assists) in three games last week.

Listen here to what Dale Hunter, Alex Ovechkin, Karl Alzner, Troy Brouwer & Mike Knuble had to say following practice today.

Dale Hunter Practice Audio

Alex Ovechkin Practice Audio

Karl Alzner Practice Audio

Troy Brouwer Practice Audio

Mike Knuble Practice Audio