The Capitals know that nothing will come easy against the Maple Leafs.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are back for the start of a lengthy home stand against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they will have to wait and see if T.J. Oshie will be available to play.
Oshie should be good to go for the Capitals after missing morning skate due to maintenance. He had been questionable for his 1,000th NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks back on Saturday due to an upper-body injury, but ended up playing in that game and Monday's win over the Calgary Flames.
With Oshie not at morning skate, Mike Sgarbossa slotted in and took rushes on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Connor McMichael. The rest of the lineup remained intact.
Here are the projected lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Connor McMichael-T.J. Oshie/Mike Sgarbossa
Ivan Miroshnichenko-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Max Pacioretty-Hendrix Lapierre-Sonny Milano
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Aliaksei Protas
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Charlie Lindgren will get the nod, marking his 11th start in the last 12 games.
Washington faces a tall task as it looks to secure its fourth straight win and get back in the second Wild Card spot as they take on Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
For the Capitals, they will be looking to shut down the likes of Matthews and the Leafs' high-octane offense through smart decision making.
"Obviously, they're a highly offensive team that can capitalize on their chances. So for us, just stay committed to those defensive details, closing on them quick, focusing them to make hurried and rushed plays," Beck Malenstyn said. "I think it could be huge to eliminate their chances."