Here's everything to know before puck drop as the banged-up Capitals take on the Devils in Newark.
The Washington Capitals are banged up and feeling the effects of multiple injuries, but they'll get a key name back in the mix and look to find a spark with what they have as they take on the ailing New Jersey Devils.
Washington, which is 5-3-2 in its last 10 games, will be operating without Darcy Kuemper, Anthony Mantha and more against New Jersey, which is 6-4 in its last 10 and missing the likes of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Collin Miller.
Here is everything to know ahead of puck drop at 7 p.m. at Prudential Center, including projected line combos, injuries, players to watch and the full tale of the tape.
Washington Capitals Lines & Injury Report
Washington did not run lines on Thursday, but head coach Spencer Carbery did say that the team will be shaking up the forward lines as the Capitals continue to look for a spark on offense.
Wednesday provided a glimpse of those potential combinations, with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dylan Strome switching places. It is unclear, though, if those changes will remain the same against New Jersey.
Meanwhile, Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas will have a new winger, as Mantha is on the injured reserve after being struck in the left side of the head by a puck in the loss to the Florida Panthers. Nicolas Aube-Kubel was recalled in his place, and he will play. Nic Dowd will also draw back into the lineup, taking Hendrix Lapierre's place as the fourth-line center.
On the defense side of things, Trevor van Riemsdyk remains on the injured reserve, and per NHL.com's Tom Gulitti and Mike Morreale, Alex Alexeyev was taking the scratches' skate. Kuemper is also ailing and was "nicked up" against Florida, so Charlie Lindgren will start with Hunter Shepard backing up.
Here are the projected lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Matthew Phillips
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Hardy Häman Aktell-Lucas Johansen
Charlie Lindgren
Hunter Shepard
Full injury report: Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed, out), Anthony Mantha (upper-body, IR), Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower-body, IR), Joel Edmundson (hand, LTIR), Max Pacioretty (Achilles, LTIR), Nicklas Backstrom (hip, LTIR, not returning this season)
Washington Capitals Tale of The Tape
- The penalty kill has been flawless for the last six games, killing off 13 consecutive penalties and managing two shorthanded goals over that span. It will be vital against the Devils, who lead the NHL with a 41.7 power-play percentage.
- Washington's power play continues to struggle and is now 0-for-11 over the last four games. New Jersey's PK is the middle of the pack, with a 76.6 success percentage.
- The Capitals rank 31st in goals per game (2.00), and the Devils rank fourth with 3.83 GF/G.
- Former Washington netminder Vitek Vanecek will get the start in Newark.
Washington Capitals Players To Watch
- Alex Ovechkin has just two goals in 11 games, with neither of those coming at even strength and one of them being an empty-netter in New Jersey. He's getting chances and making good plays, but now, it's just a matter of finishing his chances.
- McMichael is coming off a multi-point outing, as is Protas. It was McMichael who had the game-winner against the Devils on Oct. 25.
- Nic Dowd will play in his first game since Oct. 16. He missed the last nine outings with an upper-body injury.
- Nicolas Aube-Kubel's game will mark his NHL season debut. He was one of the earlier forward cuts in training camp, losing his spot to the likes of Matthew Phillips and more.