The Capitals will get Sonny Milano back in the mix against the Canadiens.
The Washington Capitals will get a key forward back in the mix on Saturday, as Sonny Milano is set to make his return to game action against the Montreal Canadiens.
Milano has officially been activated off the injured reserve following Matthew Phillips' claim by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he will play in his first game in over two months.
The 26-year-old has not played since Dec. 10. He is believed to have suffered an upper-body injury on Dec. 9 against the New York Rangers when he was spun around on a hit by Jacob Trouba. That injury lingered, leading to an extended recovery and absence.
Getting Milano back should be a boost for the Capitals, who are six points out of a playoff spot and looking to spark the offense and secondary scoring. Through 23 games this season, Milano has four goals and four assists.
Over the last couple of practices, Milano has been skating on the third line with Mike Sgarbossa and Max Pacioretty, and he is expected to slot in there as he makes his return to the lineup.
To make room in the lineup for Milano, head coach Spencer Carbery is scratching Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has primarily played on the fourth line following his return from Hershey this season but was moved to the third line last game.
Tom Wilson has taken Aube-Kubel's place on that identity fourth line as Carbery looks to spark him by playing him with Nic Dowd and Beck Malenstyn.
The Capitals face the Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET at Bell Centre. Here are the projected lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Max Pacioretty-Mike Sgarbossa-Sonny Milano
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Tom Wilson
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Joel Edmundson-Trevor van Riemsdyk