The Capitals will be without two key defensemen as they look to clinch a playoff spot over the next couple of games.
The Washington Capitals will get a new look on the back end for the final two games of the season with second-pairing defensemen Nick Jensen and Rasmus Sandin out with injury.
Jensen was stretchered off the ice in Saturday's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning after taking a heavy hit into the boards from Michael Eyssimont. He did not need to go to the hospital and has been at the facility for the last two days, but will not play against the Boston Bruins or Philadelphia Flyers.
Sandin, meanwhile, was hurt on a hit back on April 7 against the Ottawa Senators and skated in a non-contact jersey on Monday but remains out of the mix for the remainder of the regular season.
With both Sandin and Jensen out, Washington's blue line will get a bit of a shakeup as several players will be tasked with taking on bigger roles.
"Things will shuffle around without a doubt. Minute-wise it'll increase like we saw last game. (Martin Fehervary's) gonna play a little bit more, (Alex Alexeyev) will play a little bit more, (Trevor van Riemsdyk) will play a little bit more," head coach Spencer Carbery said. "(John Carlson) will probably hold firm what he's been playing minute allocation-wise all season long, but those guys are gonna have to share a little bit of the load. Vinny Iorio will probably play a little more than he has... it'll be a shared responsibility, it won't be shouldered on one guy,"
Dylan McIlrath will draw in as the sixth defenseman, while Lucas Johansen will be the healthy scratch on the backend. It is possible that Johansen could get the game in Philadelphia, though, depending on how the D-corps work out on Monday.
"It's kind of what you dream of as a kid, playing in these big, important games," McIlrath said.
Here are the projected pairings:
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Trevor van Riemsdyk-Vincent Iorio
Alex Alexeyev-Dylan McIlrath
When it comes to what went into bringing up McIlrath, the Hershey Bears captain, Carbery said it had to do with experience and his leadership.
"He's been up here, played a game for us earlier this year. I think from opponents' type of games that we're going to be playing in, I think he makes a lot of sense," Carbery said. "I think from a leadership experience standpoint, coming into these situations and not being overwhelmed by the moment, I think he fits the bill, as well."
At the end of the day, Washington's defense knows it faces a tall task in two must-win games that will determine the team's playoff fate, but it's all part of the job.
"Yeah I mean I just always focus on the same things, you know? Just be smart, do those small things right and try to recover as best as I can and be ready for whatever," Martin Fehervary said on Monday, via Ben Raby. "Obviously, it's challenging against Boston."