The Capitals will see Connor Bedard for the first time as they look to build on one of their best games of their season.
Following arguably their best game of the season on Saturday, a 4-0 victory over the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers, the Washington Capitals boarded a plane for Chicago feeling confident. And they'll look to carry that over just 24 hours later as they pay a visit to Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. ET at United Center.
Washington Capitals Lines
Washington did everything right on Saturday, and it resulted in the team's second consecutive game managing four goals in regulation. Expect things to remain intact, especially as each line was able to contribute a goal in the win over New York.
The only lineup change is in net, as Darcy Kuemper will get the second game of the back-to-back following Charlie Lindgren's 31-save shutout win over the Rangers and his brother, Ryan.
Here are the projected line combinations.
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Sonny Milano-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Injury Report
Washington is still waiting for Max Pacioretty to return to the lineup, though he's getting closer and is 2-3 weeks away from playing.
The 35-year-old joined the group for the first time on Saturday as he took part in the morning skate in a non-contact jersey. He is not travelling to Chicago given the short trip and turnaround, but is trending in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Nicklas Backstrom remains on an indefinite leave of absence after deciding to step away from hockey due to issues related to his hip, which has not responded the way he'd hoped to hip resurfacing surgery. The Swede remains around the team and facility and has not made any decision regarding his future.
Both Pacioretty and Backstrom are currently on LTIR.
Washington Capitals Storylines
After managing just nine goals over a six-game stretch, the Capitals have scored four goals in regulation in back-to-back games. So, taking advantage of this game will be important for the offense, as Chicago surrenders the eight-most goals per game (3.42) and has the ninth-worst penalty kill (76.2).
Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson are leading the charge in the offensive department, though the team is hoping that something, somehow, will spark ailing captain Alex Ovechkin, who is approaching the longest goal drought of his career (10 games back in 2017).
Igniting the power play also remains atop the to-do list; after putting an end to a lengthy PPG drought back on Dec. 1 against the Anaheim Ducks, the team has gone 1-for-11 on the man advantage. There are some new looks being generated, though.
It will be a difficult matchup, though. It marks the first time that the Capitals will face 2023 No. 1 pick Bedard this season, and the freshman has been adjusting well to NHL life and has helped make the Blackhawks a fast, impressive team that's not to be underestimated.
Both teams are tied for the second-least goals per game in the NHL, averaging just 2.42 goals a night.
Washington Capitals Players To Watch
- Wilson has five goals in his last five games.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov has points in back-to-back games following his healthy scratch. That method worked well for Sonny Milano, too, as he struck just 43 seconds into his return to the lineup on Saturday.
- Anthony Mantha has two goals in his last five games and continues to look more confident night in and night out.
- The last time Ovechkin was at United Center, he scored a hat trick en route to his 800th career goal (Dec. 13, 2022). He'll look for that spark again as he looks to avoid going a career-long 10 games without a goal.