Here's everything to know as the Capitals take on the Penguins in a key rivalry game before the 2024 NHL Trade deadline.
The Washington Capitals will look a bit different as they head into a critical game against the Pittsburgh Penguins as they continue to navigate the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at PPG Paints Arena at 7 p.m. Both teams are just a point apart in the standings and D.C. is seven points out of playoff position.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
With Anthony Mantha and Joel Edmundson traded to the Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Ethan Bear will draw into the lineup.
Charlie Lindgren will start despite his name coming up in trade talks, as Darcy Kuemper is ill. Hunter Shepard, who was recalled on Thursdakookkm
That said, here are the expected line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Hendrix Lapierre-Aliaksei Protas
Max Pacioretty-Connor McMichael-Tom Wilson
Ivan Miroshnichenko-Dylan Strome-Sonny Milano
Beck Malenstyn-Mike Sgarbossa-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Trevor van Riemsdyk-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev-Ethan Bear
Washington Capitals Injury Report
- T.J. Oshie remains week-to-week with an upper-body injury that he suffered back on Feb. 22 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has been skating ahead of practice but remains out.
- Nic Dowd will not play and remains out as he recovers from an upper-body injury he suffered back on Feb. 20 against the New Jersey Devils and awaits word on whether or not he will be traded.
- 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, though he's making progress.
- Evgeny Kuznetsov is with the AHL's Hershey Bears as he remains in the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He cleared waivers over the weekend.
- 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 three straight outings and 13 of the last 15 games overall.
- Sonny Milano has four goals and points in three straight, as well as five of the last six, since returning from an upper-body injury that held him out for over two months.
- Dylan Strome has points in six of the last seven games.
- T.J. Oshie is playing in his 999th NHL game.
- The Capitals have power-play goals in 10 of the 11 games.
How To Watch Capitals vs. Penguins
The game will be live on Monumental Sports Network.
Fans can also tune in on Caps Radio 24/7 and 106.7 FM The Fan.