Lapierre will draw back in for the Capitals with Kuznetsov sick.
The Washington Capitals will be without the services of their top-line center on Saturday, as Evgeny Kuznetsov will be out for Saturday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters on Saturday that No. 92 would be unavailable due to an illness that also held him out of Friday's practice. He was dealing with an illness last week, too, but did not miss any playing time.
With Kuznetsov out, Hendrix Lapierre will draw back into the mix at center. It will be the 21-year-old's first game since Nov. 8 and his fifth of the season.
Washington's top line will also change with Kuznetsov out. He has been skating with Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson, so expect the pivots to move around as Carbery looks for the right combination with No. 92 out of the mix.
While Kuznetsov won't play, the team will also get a key forward back in the mix with Anthony Mantha drawing back in. The 29-year-old suffered a ruptured eardrum against Florida, which threw off his inner balance and resulted in dizziness and vomiting, as well as hearing loss. He is healthy, though, and good to go.
Expect Matthew Phillips to draw out as the healthy scratch with Mantha ready to go and Lapierre playing center.
On the blue line, it remains unclear if Joel Edmundson will make his Capitals debut. The 30-year-old blueliner broke his hand in a training camp scrimmage and has not played yet for his new team this season, but signs have pointed to him nearing a return. He did not linger on for extra work at the optional morning skate, unlike fellow blueliners Alex Alexeyev and Dylan McIlrath.
So, it is possible he could return, though nothing was confirmed. He remains on long-term injured reserve, and another move would have to be made if he is good to go.
Puck drop between Washington and Columbus is at 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena.