Alex Ovechkin continues his GR8 Chase on Friday as the Capitals host the Blackhawks. (Amber Searls — Imagn Images)WASHINGTON — All eyes are on Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, as they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday with Ovechkin just a hat trick away from becoming the NHL's new all-time leading goal scorer.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals will have a few lineup changes, with Anthony Beauvillier drawing out as a. healthy scratch and Taylor Raddysh making his return to the lineup. Matt Roy will also be back in after missing the last two games due to personal family matters, replacing Dylan McIlrath.
Charlie Lindgren gets the start, with Hunter Shepard backing up amid Logan Thompson's injury.
Here are the lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Ryan Leonard
Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Taylor Raddysh
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Connor McMichael
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy
Charlie Lindgren
Hunter Shepard
Washington Capitals Stats
- Alex Ovechkin has goals in three straight games.
- Dylan Strome is on a three-game point streak.
- Jakob Chychrun has three points in his last three games.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin sits three goals away from 895, which would move him past Wayne Gretzky for the NHL's all-time goals record. He has 15 goals and 30 points in 25 career games against Chicago, including a hat trick back in December 2022 to hit the 800-goal mark.
- Look for Ryan Leonard to try and get on the scoresheet as he plays his third NHL game and makes his home debut for D.C.
- Watch for Taylor Raddysh to try and impress as he draws back into the mix.