Here's everything to know as the Capitals continue their playoff push against the Devils.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals know that a lot rests on Tuesday's game as the team looks to continue a late playoff push in a key Metropolitan Division showdown against the New Jersey Devils, who are also fighting for their lives.
The Capitals are eight points out of playoff position, while the Devils sit four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second Wild Card spot.
Here is everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
Washington will keep the same forward line combinations, as Nicolas Aube-Kubel remains the odd man out amid Sonny Milano's return from injury. However, there will be changes at defense with Martin Fehervary week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Trevor van Riemsdyk will switch to his off-side and play on the top pair with John Carlson to start, while Ethan Bear will draw back into the lineup and reunite with Joel Edmundson on the third pairing. Alex Alexeyev will remain a healthy scratch.
Charlie Lindgren gets the start, with Darcy Kuemper backing up. He'll be in for a tough challenge, as the Devils average the seventh-most goals per game in the league (3.39), while Jack Hughes had a hat trick in his last outing against Lindgren back in November.
Here are the projected line combinations:
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
Trevor van Riemsdyk-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Joel Edmundson-Ethan Bear
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Washington Capitals Injury Report
- Martin Fehervary is week-to-week with a lower-body injury he suffered back on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. He was skating behind the net when he lost an edge, and his leg buckled under him.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov remains away from the team indefinitely as he receives care from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
- Nicklas Backstrom remains on indefinite leave due to his hip not responding as he'd hoped following hip resurfacing surgery.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin has scored in six of his last seven outings and has points in eight straight games. He continues to look stronger following the All-Star Break.
- Anthony Mantha has four points in his last two games and continues to impress in what's been a bounce-back season. He has 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points, the most he's had since joining D.C. in 2021.
- Nic Dowd has points in three straight games.
- T.J. Oshie and Dylan Strome have points in three of their last four outings.
- Sonny Milano scored in his return to the lineup on Saturday.
How To Watch Capitals vs. Devils
The game will be live on Monumental Sports Network and be streamed on ESPN+.
Fans can also tune in on Caps Radio 24/7 and 106.7 FM The Fan.