Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom draw back into game action as Capitals hopefuls continue their push for a spot with the roster taking shape.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are taking to the road on Tuesday, as they'll take on the Boston Bruins in another preseason showdown as their roster starts to take form.
Darcy Kuemper will get his first preseason game, with Hunter Shepard joining him on the trip up to Beantown. After this, Washington has two preseason games left, so expect Kuemper to get more time going into the year as he looks to get back in the swing of game action.
A handful of regulars are also expected to suit up, including Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha, Nic Dowd, Sonny Milano, Dylan Strome, Tom Wilson, John Carlson, Rasmus Sandin and Trevor van Riemsdyk.
Here's the full game roster:
Forwards: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Nicklas Backstrom, Nic Dowd, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Alex Limoges, Beck Malenstyn, Anthony Mantha, Connor McMichael, Sonny Milano, Matthew Phillips, Aliaksei Protas, Dylan Strome, Tom Wilson
Defensemen: John Carlson, Hardy Häman Aktell, Vincent Iorio, Lucas Johansen, Rasmus Sandin, Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goaltenders: Darcy Kuemper, Hunter Shepard
Hopefuls Matthew Phillips and Hardy Häman Aktell, both of whom have arguably taken the lead in their respective forward and defensive competitions for a roster spot, will get another game to show head coach Spencer Carbery why they deserve to be up in the NHL.
Phillips was skating on a line with Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin, who will not play against Boston. Carbery will put him back with Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano after they showed good chemistry on Saturday.
Lucas Johansen and Vincent Iorio, two more fringe defensemen, will also get a chance to try and step up in the race for a spot. Alex Alexeyev will not play.
Another name to keep an eye on: Alex Limoges. The Virginia native looks like he could make his Capitals preseason debut and is still one of the last remaining forwards available.