The Capitals host the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. ET. Here are lines, players to watch and keys to the game.
WASHINGTON — After a strange shutout loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, the Washington Capitals are back in action and looking to recapture the spark that led to a three-game winning streak as they face the Columbus Blue Jackets.
If they emerge with a victory, it will mark the Capitals' 1,000th win on home ice. However, they'll have to generate some offense first.
Here's everything to know before puck drop.
Washington Capitals Lines
Following the loss on Thursday, head coach Spencer Carbery shook some things up and made some tweaks to the lineup. He noted that he wasn't thrilled with some aspects of Sonny Milano's performance, though the forward remains on the second line.
Aliaksei Protas and Matthew Phillips swapped places, with Protas now on the third line and Phillips skating with Beck Malenstyn and Hendrix Lapierre.
On the blue line, Alex Alexeyev will draw back into the mix alongside Nick Jensen, replacing Hardy Häman Aktell.
Charlie Lindgren will get the start for the Capitals.
Here are the projected line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie
Anthony Mantha-Connor McMichael-Aliaksei Protas
Beck Malenstyn-Hendrix Lapierre-Matthew Phillips
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Alex Alexeyev-Nick Jensen
Hardy Häman Aktell-Lucas Johasnen
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Nic Dowd remains out with injury, and Joel Edmundson and Max Pacioretty are still on the long-term injured reserve. They're all making progress, though.
Washington Capitals Keys To Success
For Washington to win this game, the team needs offense. And to get offense, the stars and big names need to step up. The Capitals will look to Alex Ovechkin, who has just two goals through nine games (neither at even strength), Evgeny Kuznetsov (one empty-netter) and T.J. Oshie (first goal of the year overturned for goaltender interference) to lead the charge there.
But it's not just about scoring goals. Washington needs tape-to-tape passing and to finish their players, while also piling shots on net and causing chaos in front of the goaltender.
Players To Watch
- Ovechkin, despite having just two goals, has points in six of his last seven outings and has been making strong plays.
- Dylan Strome leads his team with six goals in his last six games.
- Lindgren will play in his first game since the season opener, where, despite the 4-0 loss, he had an impressive showing with key saves.
- Connor McMichael continues to look confident and was solid at center on Sunday. The Capitals will look to him to continue impressing as he fills in for Nicklas Backstrom.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.