Here's everything to know as the Capitals take on the Blue Jackets.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are back at Capital One Arena for their fourth game in six days, and it's their biggest preseason matchup yet as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.
There are several implications surrounding this game for head coach Spencer Carbery's group, as several roster hopefuls will be getting one of their final chances to show that they belong in D.C. while Connor McMichael will make his return to center.
Here's everything to know before puck drop, which has been moved to 8:15 p.m. due to travel complications for Columbus.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals will dress several of their fringe forwards, as Jakub Vrana, Ethen Frank, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Andrew Cristall and Pierrick Dubé will all be in the lineup, along with dark horse Henrik Rybinski.
Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin's top line with Dylan Strome and Andrew Mangiapane will play in its second outing of this preseason, while Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson will headline the defense. Charlie Lindgren will make his season debut and play the whole game.
Here are the projected combos:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Andrew Mangiapane
Jakub Vrana-Connor McMichael-Ethen Frank
Sonny Milano-Henrik Rybinski-Ivan Miroshnichenko
Andrew Cristall-Mike Sgarbossa-Pierrick Dubé
Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson
Alex Alexeyev-Vincent Iorio
Nick Leivermann-Ethan Bear
Charlie Lindgren
Clay Stevenson
Washington Capitals Names & Storylines To Watch
- Dylan Strome is coming off a two-goal performance in which his top line with Alex Ovechkin and Andrew Mangiapane impressed. Expect big things for that unit again.
- Jakub Vrana turned around a tough start to his preseason with quite the performance against the Devils on Wednesday, picking up an assist and working wonders with the puck. He'll look to keep that momentum going on Friday.
- Ethen Frank, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after a lackluster showing so far through training camp. He is a minus-5 through two games.
- Andrew Cristall has two goals through two preseason games, but took a step back in his second outing against the Boston Bruins. Ivan Miroshnichenko's been a bright spot, too, and has a goal through two games. Keep an eye on both youngsters.
- Ethan Bear will man the third pairing with Nick Leivermann, giving him more ownership and responsibility without an NHL-ready defensive partner. Look for him to take charge as he looks to get back into the Capitals lineup.
- Look for Connor McMichael to make some noise in his return to center. It's just to give D.C. a boost there and keep him fresh in that position after mainly playing wing in camp (that remains the plan going into the season), but with Hendrix Lapierre having a rough start to the preseason, something to keep an eye on.
- Henrik Rybinski's also been solid through the preseason so far and could be a dark horse and long shot to monitor.
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