Sammi’s Daily: Capitals Gains, Trade Chatter, All-Star Updates

The Washington Capitals got back to their winning ways on Thursday with an intense, convincing victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. That victory not only helped them pass Pittsburgh in the standings but also provided a two-point cushion over the other teams out of Wild Card position that remain in the hunt.

Meanwhile, Brian MacLellan had some interesting things to say about the team's trade deadline strategy. Across the rest of the league, there's ongoing trade speculation, and there have also been some updates to the NHL All-Star roster.

Here are the latest news and notes from D.C. and across the NHL:

Washington Capitals

– General manager Brian MacLellan discussed the Capitals' trade deadline plan, the team's injuries and "little things" going on with Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie. (WHN)

– Nicklas Backstrom and Washington put on a show en route to a huge 3-2 shootout win over Pittsburgh, and here are all the takeaways, highlights and numbers from the "W." (WHN)

– Backstrom admitted to having some nerves in the shootout, plus more postgame quotes from Ovechkin, Darcy Kuemper and Marcus Johansson. (WHN)

NHL

– Aleksander Barkov is now headed to the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend to replace Auston Matthews, who is out for a minimum of three weeks due to a knee sprain. Florida Panthers (FHN)

– The Islanders are not in a good place right now, and it shouldn't fall on the players or former Capitals bench boss Lane Lambert; it's Lou Lamoriello. New York Islanders (NYIHN)

– Here's what the Penguins had to say after the shootout loss in D.C., including some insight from Casey DeSmith on those Evgeny Kuznetsov moves. Pittsburgh Penguins (PHN)

Top Shelf Takes

– We did a fun story with Kuznetsov about his slow-motion shootout antics. He changed his strategy after hitting some posts last year, and he also said that he just likes to have fun. It's working, as his slow-mo move has led to multiple shootout goals so far. Head coach Peter Laviolette also called it "top-notch talent."

– Lars Eller played an impressive game for Washington on Friday, and his time on the PK was also impressive. He called Thursday the "most important game" of the year, and he delivered with a strong effort himself.

– Alex Semin was at the game on Thursday. Alex Ovechkin on why Semin was there: "Ask him."