The Capitals' fringe players will get another chance to make a statement on Thursday in Columbus.
The Washington Capitals are closing out the preseason against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a home-and-home series, and it starts on Thursday in Ohio as Washington heads on the road one last time before the real deal next week.
The Capitals will be sending another mix of veterans and prospects up to Columbus for that reason as fringe players make their final push for a spot. On Saturday, they are expected to dress a more NHL-esque lineup as they play in their final game before their season opener on Oct. 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
For the preseason tilt, Washington recalled three skaters from the Hershey Bears, bringing up forwards Ethen Frank and Riley Sutter and defenseman Chase Priskie on Thursday.
The Capitals cut Frank, Sutter and Priskie from training camp on Sunday, assigning Frank and placing Sutter and Priskie on waivers. The two cleared, and all three have been at Hershey's training camp, which started on Monday.
Notable names to watch include Alex Ovechkin and Ivan Miroshnichenko, who have been playing on a line together and will play in their second preseason game. Hardy Häman Aktell and Matthew Phillips, who are the leading candidates to win roster spots in their respective positional competitions, will also play.
Meanwhile, fringe players Hendrix Lapierre and Alex Limoges will also be in the lineup. Nick Jensen will also make his preseason debut.
Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren are both heading to Ohio, though it's unclear if they'll split the duties.
Here's the roster:
Forwards: Alex Ovechkin, Aliaksei Protas, Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, Anthony Mantha, Matthew Phillips, Beck Malenstyn, Ethen Frank, Alex Limoges, Riley Sutter, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Defensemen: Nick Jensen, Hardy Häman Aktell, Dylan McIlrath, Alex Alexeyev, Lucas Johansen, Chase Priskie
Goaltenders: Darcy Kuemper, Charlie Lindgren
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena.