Sammi Silber
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Sammi Silber
@sammisilber.bsky.social
Capitals beat reporter for The Hockey News, sports and live events at Peacock TV, proud captain of the D.C. Ghost Pirates, Silbzini, Emmy nominated, grad student at ASU. "I can do all things..."
"Our swagger is such a big part of our group."

Anthony Beauvillier shares his take on what's helped the Capitals to an 8-1-1 surge over the last 10 games, Alex Ovechkin has nothing but respect for Anze Kopitar and more quotes from the locker room:
Respect For Kopitar, Emphasis On Team Play & Plenty Of 'Swagger': Ovechkin & Capitals Break Down Win Over Kings
The Capitals break down their 3-1 win over the Kings.
www.dcbackcheck.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Tom Wilson and the Capitals' usual suspects stayed hot, and they played smart, too, en route to a 3-1 victory over the Kings.

Takeaways:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Takeaways: Wilson, Capitals Stay Hot & Play Smart To Best Kings
The Capitals have now won five straight contests.
thehockeynews.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:11 AM
The Capitals kick off a busy California trip on Tuesday against the Kings.

Here's what to know before puck drop, including line combos, stats, storylines and more.
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/capitals-v...
Capitals vs. Kings: Line Combinations, Stats, Storylines To Watch
Here's what to know as the Capitals visit the Kings.
www.dcbackcheck.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:47 AM
"What (doesn't) he bring? He has so much energy... the way he talks on the bench, I think that really goes unnoticed."

It's not always flashy, but Brandon Duhaime, a stabilizing presence on a skilled third line, continues to help fuel the Capitals 📝:
Brandon Duhaime, A 'Stabilizer' On A Skilled Third Line, Continues To Help Power The Capitals
Here's how Brandon Duhaime continues to make his presence known for the Capitals, though he can fly under the radar at times.
thehockeynews.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:43 PM
"There's flashes of potential of how good this kid's going to be."

Ryan Leonard's heating up, but it's not just his production that stands out; the Capitals rookie is finally finding his identity at the NHL level.

On Leno and what he brings beyond goals:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Ryan Leonard Getting More Comfortable, Finding Identity With Capitals: 'His Game's At The Best It's Ever Been'
The Capitals rookie is making the most of his time as he starts to string together points and find his identity for D.C.
thehockeynews.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:58 AM
"You trust the work that you put in and that you're doing the right things. You'll get frustrated... is it going to be perfect? No."

It hasn't been easy for Hendrix Lapierre with the Capitals. But he's not giving up.

I catch up with the #ALLCAPS forward:
It Hasn't Been Easy For Hendrix Lapierre With The Capitals. But He's Not Giving Up: 'Trust Your Work'
The Capitals forward hasn't scored in the last 68 games and is struggling from a production standpoint while playing limited minutes.
thehockeynews.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's harder to imagine Team Canada not having some Washington Capitals on board come February.

More on how the #ALLCAPS stack up in the race for a roster spot, with Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson leading the way and Jakob Chychrun in the conversation, too.
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/washington...
Capitals' Thompson, Wilson Continue To Force Team Canada's Hand — And Chychrun's Close Behind
A handful of Capitals are making quite the case for the upcoming Olympic games.
www.dcbackcheck.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson continue to make their Olympic case as they powered the Capitals to a 4-1 win over the Islanders on Sunday.

Takeaways as the #ALLCAPS extend their win streak to four games:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Takeaways: Thompson, Wilson Continue Making Olympic Case As Capitals Best Islanders
Tom Wilson struck twice and added an assist and Logan Thompson put on a show in net en route to a 4-1 win.
thehockeynews.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The Capitals will look to finish November on a high note as they visit the Islanders this afternoon.

What to know before puck drop, including lines, stats, game notes and more:
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/capitals-v...
Capitals vs. Islanders: Line Combinations & What To Know
The Capitals will look to end November on a high note as they visit the Islanders.
www.dcbackcheck.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
"He's got that Makar in him."
"One of the best shots I've ever seen in my life."

The Capitals can't say enough about Jakob Chychrun, who's emerging as one of the NHL's top defensemen. Here's what's gone into his success, and what make his shot so lethal:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Capitals' Jakob Chychrun Emerging As One Of The NHL's Top Defensemen: 'One Of The Best Shots I've Ever Seen'
Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun has put himself on the radar this season with an impressive point streak
thehockeynews.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Capitals lines vs. Maple Leafs:

Ovechkin-Strome-Beauvillier
Protas-Sourdif-Wilson
Duhaime-McMichael-Leonard
Milano-Lapierre-Frank

Fehervary-Carlson
Chychrun-Roy
Sandin-TVR

Thompson
November 28, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Happy Thanksgiving.

The Capitals are ringing in the holidays with family and friends. As for the younger players, the team made sure they had somewhere to go.

How the #ALLCAPS are giving thanks:
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/washington...
Capitals Open Doors To One Another On Thanksgiving
The Capitals are making sure everyone is included on Thanksgiving day.
www.dcbackcheck.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Nic Dowd heads to the IR, and Bogdan Trineyev is up from Hershey.

What that means for tonight's lineup and more notes here at DC Backcheck:
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/washington...
Capitals Lineup Combinations & Notes vs. Jets; Dowd To IR As Trineyev Recalled From Hershey
The Capitals will see some changes as they continue to play without Nic Dowd.
www.dcbackcheck.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Charlie Lindgren starts, Dylan McIlrath draws back in, Nic Dowd's a game-time decision and more lineup notes as the Capitals host the Jets.

Today's THN notebook:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Capitals Notebook: Lindgren Starts, McIlrath Back In, Dowd A Game-Time Decision vs. Jets
The Capitals will make some changes to the lineup as they host the Jets.
thehockeynews.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:17 PM
"I took him to Costco for pots and pans. He left with, like, samples and a bag of Doritos."

Ryan Leonard's finally living on his own. It's a learning curve, but he's getting the hang of it — somewhat.

A closer look at the life of the Capitals rookie:
Ryan Leonard's True 'Welcome To The NHL' Moment? Living On His Own For The First Time
Capitals forward Ryan Leonard reflects on moving to live on his own for the first time and mastering the art of adulthood.
thehockeynews.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 PM
"It's not normal for him to step into that role or for players to step into that role and have that much success."

The Capitals paid a lot to bring in Justin Sourdif, believing the gamble would pay off. It is, and then some, as he thrives on the top-6:
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/washington...
The Capitals Bet Big On Justin Sourdif. Their Gamble's Paying Off Big Time
The Capitals took a big gamble on Justin Sourdif, and they're seeing the benefits as he embraces the second-line center role.
www.dcbackcheck.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The Capitals cruised to a 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets, and Jakob Chychrun helped lead the way.

All the takeaways:

thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Takeaways: Chychrun, Capitals Surge Past Jackets
The Washington Capitals wanted a better result after their loss on Saturday. They delivered against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and a lot of thanks goes to Jakob Chychrun.
thehockeynews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Nic Dowd and others are a TBD as the Capitals lineup could tweak against the Blue Jackets.

More on today's THN notebook: thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Capitals Notebook: Dowd, Others TBD As Lineup Could Tweak vs. Blue Jackets
The Capitals will look to bounce back against Columbus after a disappointing loss to the Lightning on Saturday.
thehockeynews.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
"It gets to a certain point where, as a coach, I need to make a decision of what makes sense for our hockey team."

The Capitals power play got a major shakeup on Sunday with multiple changes, including John Carlson being taken off the top unit.

More:

thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
After 22 Games, Capitals Shake Up Power Play, Move Carlson To On Second Unit
The Capitals made some much-needed tweaks to the power play and hope it's enough to spark change.
thehockeynews.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Nic Dowd's day-to-day and more lineup notes as the Capitals prepare to face the Lightning yet again.

Everything to know in THN's notebook:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Capitals Notebook: Dowd Day-To-Day, Lineup Notes vs. Lightning
The Capitals will face the Lightning for the third and final time this season.
thehockeynews.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Dylan Strome couldn't make it back to D.C. in time for the birth of his third daughter, so he took the ice in Montreal and played his heart out for Tayler and the newest member of his family: Sutton.

On the Capitals center and an unforgettable night:
thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Unable To Make It Back Home For The Birth Of His Third Daughter, Dylan Strome Plays His Heart Out For Capitals In Montreal
Dylan Strome wasn't able to make it back from Montreal in time for the birth of his third daughter, Sutton. So he played his heart out on the ice.
thehockeynews.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Charlie Lindgren starts and coach Spencer Carbery said the team is working through a couple things line-up wise as they visit the Canadiens.

Projected line combos and what to know before puck drop:
www.dcbackcheck.com/p/capitals-v...
Capitals vs. Canadiens: Line Combinations & What To Know
Here's everything to know as the Capitals visit the Canadiens.
www.dcbackcheck.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
As Justin Sourdif continues to embrace his new role at center, the Capitals are liking what they're seeing.

More on the rookie and his growth beyond the scoresheet:

thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Capitals Impressed As Sourdif Continues To Embrace Role As Center
The Capitals rookie is embracing a key role as a center with Pierre-Luc Dubois out long-term.
thehockeynews.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Ryan Leonard and the Capitals busted out at 5-on-5 and, without two key shutdown centers, bested Connor McDavid and the Oilers, 7-4.

Here are the takeaways:
Takeaways: Leonard, Capitals Bust Out To Best Oilers
Ryan Leonard scored twice, Alex Ovechkin scored his 904th career NHL goal and the Capitals busted out at 5-on-5 for a win over the Oilers.
thehockeynews.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 AM
"I would like to have a couple more goals, but it's a long season... it's only a matter of time."

There's no reason to worry about Ryan Leonard, and the Caps prospect himself knows that the points will come. Now, it's just about not getting frustrated.

thehockeynews.com/nhl/washingt...
Ryan Leonard Knows The Pucks Will Start Going In At Some Point. Now, It's Just About Not Getting Frustrated
The Capitals rookie discusses his play and how he's staying patient and sticking with the process.
thehockeynews.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM