Here's everything to know as the Capitals host the Flyers in their most important game yet.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are in for the biggest game of the season as they take on the Philadelphia Flyers, and their lineup will look slightly different, too.
Washington, who has points in five of the last six outings, sits six points behind the Flyers for third in the Metropolitan Division and, with a win, can move closer to the playoffs.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals will be getting Sonny Milano and Nick Jensen back in the mix after both missed the last two games with an illness and lower-body injury, respectively. In addition, Tom Wilson will play after missing Thursday's practice due to personal reasons.
Hendrix Lapierre will get a notable promotion, and he will center Wilson and Alex Ovechkin on the top line. Charlie Lindgren will get the start.
Meanwhile, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Pierrick Dubé are the extras up front, while Ethan Bear is the odd man out on the backend.
Here are the line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Hendrix Lapierre-Tom Wilson
Max Pacioretty-Dylan Strome-Sonny Milano
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Beck Malenstyn-Mike Sgarbossa-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen
Washington Capitals Injury Report
- T.J. Oshie is week-to-week with an upper-body injury that he suffered back on Feb. 22 against the Tampa Bay Lightning when he turned with the puck and appeared to pull something. Given the nature of the injury, it could be related to his chronic back issues. He is on the injured reserve and has not skated since.
- Nic Dowd is day-to-day with an upper-body injury he suffered back on Feb. 20 against the New Jersey Devils. He has been skating in a non-contact jersey.
- Martin Fehervary is week-to-week with a lower-body injury he suffered back on Feb. 17 against the Montreal Canadiens. He was skating behind the net when he lost an edge, and his leg buckled under him. Fehervary has also been in a non-contact jersey and remains on IR.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov remains away from the team indefinitely as he receives care from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
- Nicklas Backstrom remains on indefinite leave due to his hip not responding as he'd hoped following hip resurfacing surgery.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin has points in 11 of his last 13 outings with eight goals over that span.
- Hendrix Lapierre has three goals in his last two games.
- Max Pacioretty has power-play goals in back-to-back games and points in five of his last six.
- Anthony Mantha has assists in back-to-back games and points in three of his last four.
- Mike Sgarbossa has points in back-to-back games.
- Dylan Strome has points in five of his last six.
- Garnet Hathaway makes his homecoming and returns to Capital One Arena for the first time.
- If the Capitals win, they would move within four points of Philly for third in the Metro.
How To Watch Capitals vs. Flyers
The game will be live on Monumental Sports Network and be streamed on ESPN+.
Fans can also tune in on Caps Radio 24/7 and 106.7 FM The Fan.