"The Capitals held a 40-minute practice Wednesday but given the rigors of the schedule at this point in the season, a few players were instructed to take the day off from skating. Alex Ovechkin, Dennis Wideman and Brooks Laich all were excused from the session.

According to Coach Dale Hunter, Laich "was good" after playing 9 minutes and 28 seconds against the Panthers despite his injured left knee. The versatile forward was simply given a day off to rest.

Wideman, who leads the team in ice time this season, played 18:41 against the Panthers while Ovechkin saw 20:15. "