#logan-thompson

#logan-thompson

Hockey players are no stranger to bridging the language gap. With more than a dozen countries represented across the NHL, learning English is often a vital part of adjusting to the league. But for Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, the flow of knowledge is going the other way. Thompson has started to pick up some Russian, enlisting Aliaksei Protas as a tutor. Protas, who hails from from Vitebsk, Belarus, was all to happy to oblige.

"First of all, I have tons of respect for Andersen as a goalie and a player in this league," Thompson said. "I grew up watching him, and (have) a lot of respect. "I think it's just one of those things where you see your guys a little outnumbered there, so I just wanted to try and come and help out. But again, no animosity towards him, and I'm a big fan of his game."

Strome was a full participant in the team's morning skate, but head coach Spencer Carbery was unwilling to say whether he'd be good to go against the New York Islanders on Friday night. The 28-year-old center has already missed one game with a lower-body injury that he suffered early in a loss to the Ottawa Senators last weekend. "We'll see," Carbery said. "Got to talk to the medical staff and we'll see for tonight."

The game reminded fans of the 2010 playoff series, but this time, a different narrative unfolded, ensuring dark memories wouldn't haunt the team again.