The Capitals will see Tom Wilson skate with Beck Malenstyn and Nic Dowd on Tuesday.
The Washington Capitals are making some tweaks to their lines before they take on the Colorado Avalanche, and a new move sees Tom Wilson in unfamiliar territory as he takes on a checking line role.
Wilson has been placed on the fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Nic Dowd, while Nicolas Aube-Kubel has been moved up to the third line to work with Max Pacioretty and Mike Sgarbossa. It will mark Wilson's first appearance on the fourth line this season.
Here are the full combinations from Tuesday's morning skate, via Ben Raby:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Max Pacioretty-Mike Sgarbossa-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Tom Wilson
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Joel Edmundson-Ethan Bear
The role isn't necessarily a demotion for Wilson; Washington's fourth line is one of the most dependable trios on the team and has played an integral role in defensive zone starts and generating pressure on offense over the last few seasons. That line also gets a lot of ice time.
Overall, the role is one that could fit the 6-foot-4, 220-pound winger's identity well, as he's still throwing big hits and serving as a physical presence while trying to be a threat on offense.
This is also the spark that Wilson may need to boost his game. Wilson has gone the last six games without a point and hasn't scored a goal since Jan. 16, a nine-game stretch. Through 50 games, he has 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points.
Washington faces Colorado at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. The Capitals last faced them on Jan. 24, falling 6-2 after Nathan MacKinnon scored four goals, so perhaps this move was also made to add some more physicality to the checking line.