
The Capitals are in for a tough matchup against the league-leading Jets.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — After two weeks on the road, the Washington Capitals are back in town as they play host to the Winnipeg Jets in a showdown between two teams that sit atop their respective conferences.
The Capitals got back in the rhythm of home ice with a morning skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, where Sonny Milano remained in a non-contact jersey. He remains on the long-term injured reserve as he recovers from an upper-body ailment.
Meanwhile, the power-play units got a makeover as well, with Connor McMichael replacing Jakob Chychrun on the top unit. Aliaksei Protas and Ethen Frank, who earned promotions to the power play last game, are both on the second unit.
Here's how the combinations looked:
PP1: Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, Connor McMichael, Dylan Strome, Tom Wilson
PP2: Jakob Chychrun, Taylor Raddysh (Ovechkin placeholder), Aliaksei Protas, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Ethen Frank
Meanwhile, Frank has forced coach Spencer Carbery's hand, as his impressive play keeps him in the lineup. He'll play in his 10th NHL game, meaning that he will now require waivers if the team chooses to return him to the AHL's Hershey Bears.
"He still has to earn everything that he gets... (but) he's a player we don't want to lose," Carbery said.
Carbery also applauded the team's play at 5-on-5, and it looks like those lines will remain intact. Logan Thompson gets the start as the goaltending rotation continues.
Here are the projected combinations. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Connor McMichael
Taylor Raddysh-Lars Eller-Ethen Frank
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Andrew Mangiapane
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren