The Washington Capitals, who are in the midst of a five game road trip (2-2), held practice today at Kettler Capitals Iceplex before they close out their road trip tomorrow in Philadelphia.

The Caps are currently in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, four points behind seventh place Ottawa with a game in hand and two points ahead of ninth place Buffalo with the same number of games played.  The Caps, who have won the Southeast Division four years in a row, are five points behind Florida for tops in the division and Florida has a game in hand.

Alexander Semin missed practice today due to a “maintenance day”, but all other healthy Caps were on the ice.

The Caps forward lines today liked like: Ovechkin-Laich-Brouwer, Johansson-Aucoin-Knuble, Chimera-Perreault-Ward, Hendricks-Halpern-Beagle.

Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) skated once again today for the eighth time in the last nine days as he get’s closer to returning.

“He’s going to do more and more,”  Capitals Head Coach Dale Hunter said on Backstrom.  “You’ll see next week, he’s going to do more.”

Tomas Vokoun is still day-to-day (groin) and didn’t practice today.  Braden Holtby is still here and is expected to be on the trip to Philly.

“He’s doing good, he’s doing good,”  Hunter said on Tomas Vokoun.

Hunter would not say who would be in goal tomorrow.

Mike Green got his first point last game after being held scoreless in his first twelve games since he’s been back from groin surgery.

“I felt good, I feel like I’m back now,”  Green said.  “I got my feel back now and it’s just a matter of being consistent every night.”

Green has played in three straight since being suspended for three games.

Following the Caps five game road trip, they’ll start a three game homestand Friday with a critical game against the Winnipeg Jets and ends with a huge game against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.  They’ll also host the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

Listen here to what Dale Hunter, Alex Ovechkin, Dennis Wideman, Mike Green and Mike Knuble had to say following practice today.

Dale Hunter Practice Audio

Alex Ovechkin Practice Audio

Dennis Wideman Practice Audio

Mike Green Practice Audio

Mike Knuble Practice Audio