Here is everything to know as the Capitals take on the Islanders.
The Washington Capitals didn't start their return from holiday break off on the right foot, and neither did the New York Islanders. As a result, it'll be a high-stakes showdown between both teams looking to bounce back and gain traction in the Metropolitan Division.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET at UBS Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals lines will look quite different on Friday, as head coach Spencer Carbery made several changes over the last 48 hours with the hope of sparking some offense.
Not only does the top-6 look different, with Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome swapping spots, but Matthew Phillips will also draw back into the mix as Ivan Miroshnichenko takes a seat.
Charlie Lindgren will get the start, with Darcy Kuemper getting the Saturday game against the Nashville Predators.
Here are the projected line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Connor McMichael-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Anthony Mantha
Hendrix Lapierre-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Matthew Phillips
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Washington Capitals Injury Report
Max Pacioretty and Ethan Bear are close to making their season debuts and return from injury, but neither will play tonight. They are not ruled out for Saturday against Nashville, though. It will mark Pacioretty's first game since re-tearing his Achilles on Jan. 19, 2023, and Bear's first game since offseason shoulder surgery following an injury at Worlds in May.
T.J. Oshie skated again and is taking full contact, and he is also nearing his return to play after suffering a lower-body injury before the break. Sonny Milano remains in a non-contact jersey as he recovers from an upper-body injury suffered earlier in the month.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Anthony Mantha has goals in three straight, points in four straight and points in eight of his last 10 outings overall.
- Linemate Aliaksei Protas also continues to lead the charge at even strength and has assists in four straight outings.
- John Carlson remains one assist away from 500 in his career.
- Alex Ovechkin is looking to get back on the scoresheet after having recently broken a 14-game goal drought. He has one goal in his last 16 outings and will face Ilya Sorokin on Friday with Semyon Varlamov day-to-day.