Washington Capitals Practice Update & Audio for Feb. 4: Oates, Erskine, Backstrom & More

ARLINGTON, VA–The Washington Capitals practiced Monday as they look for their third win of the season Tuesday as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Caps forward lines today were…Wolski-Ribeiro-Ovi, Chimera-Backstrom-Brouwer, Johansson-Crabb-Ward, Hendricks-Perreault-Beagle-Fehr.

Capitals Head Coach Adam Oates still happy with their play despite only two wins, “The team is playing correct hockey. Yeah, there’s mistakes. We try and fix mistakes every day, but I think the team is playing correct.”

More Oates, “I think we’re going the right direction.”

Oates added that he hasn’t decided who will be in goal tomorrow.

Capitals defenseman John Erskine is suspended for two more games (three total) for his elbow to the Philadelphia Flyers Wayne Simmonds.  He said he texted Simmonds to apologize and that he hopes he’s back in the line-up soon.

Erskine said on the incident,  “It was more like a reflex thing, my elbow kind of came up at the last second.”

Tom Poti replaced John Erskine in the line-up yesterday and Oates said he’s going with that group because they’ve been playing well.

On Roman Hamrlik still being a healthy scratch, “He’s a big boy, he’ll get his chance.”

Oates had no update on Brooks Laich.

Listen here to what Adam Oates, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Ribeiro, Karl Alzner, John Erskine, Joel Ward & Mike Ribeiro had to say today.

Adam Oates Practice Audio

02-04-13 Adam Oates Practice RAW

Nicklas Backstrom Practice Audio

02-04-13 Nicklas Backstrom Practice RAW

Mike Ribeiro Practice Audio

02-04-13 Mike Ribeiro Practice RAW

Karl Alzner Practice Audio

02-04-13 Karl Alzner Practice RAW

John Erskine Practice Audio

02-04-13 John Erskine Practice RAW

Joel Ward Practice Audio

02-04-13 Joel Ward Practice RAW

Mike Ribeiro Practice Audio

02-04-13 Mike Ribeiro Practice RAW