Capitals vs. Hurricanes: Line Combinations, Injury Report, Storylines, How To Watch & Full Game Preview

WASHINGTON — After a disappointing result back on Wednesday, the Washington Capitals are back in action and looking to bounce back in another critical Metropolitan Division showdown against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Here is everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.

Washington isn't making many changes to the lineup, with the only swaps being Hendrix Lapierre coming in for Matthew Phillips, Joel Edmundson drawing in for an ill Rasmus Sandin and Darcy Kuemper starting over Hunter Shepard.

Max Pacioretty will play in his second game with the Capitals after playing in his first game in nearly a year back on Wednesday. It will come against the Hurricanes, the team he re-tore his Achilles with last season after making a comeback just five months after the initial tear.

Here are the line combinations:

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson

Max Pacioretty-Dylan Strome-Hendrix Lapierre

Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha

Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Martin Fehervary-John Carlson

Trevor van Riemsdyk-Ethan Bear

Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen

Darcy Kuemper

Hunter Shepard

- Spencer Carbery announced on Friday that T.J. Oshie has left the team to return home to Minnesota for treatment to address an ongoing upper-body injury. He remains on injured reserve.

- Charlie Lindgren skated on Friday and took full part in the morning skate, but will not dress. He could be activated from the IR as soon as Sunday.

- Sonny Milano skated in a non-contact jersey and was on the ice for the full morning skate. However, he's still not close to returning and remains week-to-week.

- Nicklas Backstrom remains on indefinite leave but has been around the facility. He remains undecided about the next steps in his career and is unlikely to play again this season.

- Sandin is ill and is out, and he will be a TBD for Sunday.

- Alex Ovechkin has points in three straight games.

- Evgeny Kuznetsov, who had the shootout winner against the Hurricanes earlier in the month, is coming off his first multi-point game since Nov. 10 after going scoreless in 10 outings.

- Anthony Mantha has points in six of his last eight games.

- With Sandin out, Ethan Bear was running point on the second power play.

- John Carlson is still looking for his 500th career assist.

- Dmitry Orlov will make his return to Capital One Arena for the first time since being traded as part of last year's sell-off.

The game will be live on Monumental Sports Network. Fans can also listen on Caps Radio 24/7 and 106.7 FM.