For nearly two weeks, when the Washington Capitals went through rushes during morning skates, Michael Latta watched from the side. He’s stayed on the ice longer after practice with the other scratches for that night’s game. He’s watched the Capitals win five straight games while wearing a suit.
His goal coming into the season was to carve out a stable place in the lineup, but after a 5-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks in Washington’s second game, Latta has been supplanted as the fourth-line center. The Capitals recalled Chandler Stephenson before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, then went on a five-game winning streak, meaning any changes to the lineup would be few and far between.