Jason Chimera expected to replace Mike Knuble on Capitals? top line
Capitals? Eric Fehr looking forward to making playoff debut
By Katie Carrera
Eric Fehr has anxiously awaited an opportunity to get back in the Capitals? lineup, and with Mike Knuble likely out at least tonight, it looks like his chance will come at Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m.
Based on practice the last two days, Fehr may play on the third line with Brooks Laich and Marcus Johansson.
?It?s been tough to watch,? Fehr said. ?You wanna be a part of it all, and tonight I?ll have a good opportunity, hopefully, to pick up where the third line left off.
?Just to continue doing what the guys were doing ? forechecking hard, getting in on pucks and putting pucks towards the net,? Fehr said. ?The guys have done a good job with that, and hopefully I can do the same.?
Fehr played in each of the final four regular-season games, but he had also been part of a healthy-scratch rotation. When the playoffs began, he was watching from the press box.
Even with the layoff, though, Fehr doesn?t think it will take much to get up to speed with the intensity of this playoff series. He may also help provide some of the net presence the Capitals will miss without Knuble in the lineup.
?Just try to keep my feet moving, keep up with the pace,? Fehr said when asked how he?d handle jumping into the middle of a playoff series. ?It?s pretty quick out there, and the first couple shifts you kinda just get a feel for things ? maybe give a hit, take a hit and try to get into the game as early as possible.?
Mike Knuble likely out for Game 4
Although Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau said ?I?m not going to talk about any players today? when asked if Mike Knuble made the trip with the team, all signs point to the veteran right wing missing Game 4 at Madison Square Garden tonight.
It?s hard to know for certain, but it?s possible Knuble may not have traveled to New York as there was no sign of him at the morning skate.
Knuble hasn?t skated for three days, something that only occurred previously this season when he broke his jaw in November. Replay footage from Game 3 shows Knuble take off his glove to examine his right hand after scoring a goal, the same shift where he appeared to have been struck in the hand by a shot from Mike Green.
Also, several Capitals discussed the upcoming contest with the expectation that they would be without the 38-year-old winger. If Knuble is out, Jason Chimera will likely move up to the first line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom while Eric Fehr is expected to make his first appearance of the series, moving into the third line right wing spot.
Capitals? Eric Fehr looking forward to making playoff debut
By Katie Carrera
Eric Fehr has anxiously awaited an opportunity to get back in the Capitals? lineup, and with Mike Knuble likely out at least tonight, it looks like his chance will come at Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m.
Based on practice the last two days, Fehr may play on the third line with Brooks Laich and Marcus Johansson.
?It?s been tough to watch,? Fehr said. ?You wanna be a part of it all, and tonight I?ll have a good opportunity, hopefully, to pick up where the third line left off.
?Just to continue doing what the guys were doing ? forechecking hard, getting in on pucks and putting pucks towards the net,? Fehr said. ?The guys have done a good job with that, and hopefully I can do the same.?
Fehr played in each of the final four regular-season games, but he had also been part of a healthy-scratch rotation. When the playoffs began, he was watching from the press box.
Even with the layoff, though, Fehr doesn?t think it will take much to get up to speed with the intensity of this playoff series. He may also help provide some of the net presence the Capitals will miss without Knuble in the lineup.
?Just try to keep my feet moving, keep up with the pace,? Fehr said when asked how he?d handle jumping into the middle of a playoff series. ?It?s pretty quick out there, and the first couple shifts you kinda just get a feel for things ? maybe give a hit, take a hit and try to get into the game as early as possible.?
Mike Knuble likely out for Game 4
Although Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau said ?I?m not going to talk about any players today? when asked if Mike Knuble made the trip with the team, all signs point to the veteran right wing missing Game 4 at Madison Square Garden tonight.
It?s hard to know for certain, but it?s possible Knuble may not have traveled to New York as there was no sign of him at the morning skate.
Knuble hasn?t skated for three days, something that only occurred previously this season when he broke his jaw in November. Replay footage from Game 3 shows Knuble take off his glove to examine his right hand after scoring a goal, the same shift where he appeared to have been struck in the hand by a shot from Mike Green.
Also, several Capitals discussed the upcoming contest with the expectation that they would be without the 38-year-old winger. If Knuble is out, Jason Chimera will likely move up to the first line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom while Eric Fehr is expected to make his first appearance of the series, moving into the third line right wing spot.
