The Washington Capitals will see a special NHL debut in Boston, as Ryan Leonard is set to play in his first game against his hometown Bruins on Tuesday.
Leonard signed his entry-level contract on Monday after his NCAA career came to an end over the weekend. The 19-year-old led all collegiate skaters with 30 goals through 37 games.
Coach Spencer Carbery told reporters that Leonard will play on the second line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, and Taylor Raddysh will draw out of the lineup in order for Leonard to slot in. Alex Ovechkin, meanwhile, will play with Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Here are the projected combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Ryan Leonard
Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Connor McMichael
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Anthony Beauvillier
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Martin Fehervary-Dylan McIlrath
Charlie Lindgren
Logan Thompson
The 19-year-old met up with the team on Monday, going out to dinner with Ovechkin and the rest of the group in order to get situated.
In addition to Leonard, Washington will also make a lineup change on the backend; Matt Roy is not on the trip due to family reasons, so Dylan McIlrath will draw back in on defense. It will be his first game since Dec. 23.
Charlie Lindgren gets the start in net. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at TD Garden.