The Capitals host the Canadiens for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday. (Geoff Burke — Imagn Images)WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are officially kicking off the postseason, as they open the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals lines will look mostly the same as they were to close out the regular season, as Aliaksei Protas and Martin Fehervary remain out of the lineup due to injury. Ryan Leonard will remain in the mix up front, while Alex Alexeyev will slot in for Fehervary.
Logan Thompson will get the start as he returns from injury.
Here are the projected combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh
Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Injury Update
- Aliaksei Protas (skate cut to foot) skated lightly on Monday ahead of the optional morning skate and is expected to return at some point in the first round.
- Martin Fehervary (lower-body) has not skated since Monday's game against the New York Islanders, where he appeared to tweak something. There was no official update on his status, but he's expected to be out.
Washington Capitals Stats & Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin will be making his 16th visit to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He is looking to make a bigger impact following a historic season where he had 44 goals to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record. Last playoffs, he didn't have any points against the New York Rangers, so look for him to be hungry.
- Dylan Strome finished the year with 82 points in 82 games for his first point-per-game season. He has been a main driver of play and has impressed all year long, and has carried the first line and power play all season. Watch for him to make an impact against Montreal.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois is experiencing his first playoffs with a top seed and legitimate contender. He is coming off a bounceback season that saw him put up 66 points in 82 games while establishing himself as a top playmaker and one of the NHL's best defensive centers. He'll play a vital role on offense, but will also be tasked with shutting down the top talent on the other side in Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov.
- Ryan Leonard will make his NHL playoff debut on Monday. He finished the regular season with a goal through nine games and is looking to break out.
