The Capitals will fight to stay alive in Game 5. (Geoff Burke — Imagn Images)The Washington Capitals’ season is on the line, and they’re ready to do whatever they can to stay alive as they host the Carolina Hurricanes for a do-or-die Game 5.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals are making major changes to their lineup as they face elimination. Lars Eller draws out as the healthy scratch, while Connor McMichael slots in as the third-line center.
Logan Thompson will start.
Here are the combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Andrew Mangiapane-Connor McMichael-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Stats & Storylines
- Dylan Strome leads Washington in scoring with 11 points through nine playoff games so far.
- Alex Ovechkin picked up his first goal of the series last game on the power play. Look for him to be hungry again with D.C. wanting to live to see another day.
- Tom Wilson is a big-game player who shines when the lights are brightest. Look for him to make an impact and lead by example.
- Jakob Chychrun scored last game, and watch for him and a struggling John Carlson to rise to the occasion.