The sounds of a team still alive in the postseason filled the Washington Capitals’ facility Wednesday afternoon — the clamoring after noteworthy plays, the whistle tweeted from Coach Barry Trotz, precisely at 10:30 a.m., kicking off their only practice before the Eastern Conference semifinals begin. “Very exciting time for our group,” forward Brooks Laich said. “Very excited to start the series tomorrow.”
They had weathered seven punishing games against the New York Islanders, emerging relatively healthy and confident, but facing an entirely new challenge ahead. Their next opponent, beginning Thursday night, finished the regular season atop the league with 113 points.