Here's what to know as the Capitals play host to the Rangers in the first game of a home-and-home weekend series.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are in for a busy weekend as they face the New York Rangers in a key home-and-home series, and it all kicks off with a Saturday matinee.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 1 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena as the Capitals look to put an end to a tough go-of it that has seen them drop six of the last eight games since returning from the holiday break.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
Washington continues to navigate some ailments and injuries up front and will be without a key piece of the puzzle, as Alex Ovechkin is out with a lower-body injury he's been dealing with for the last week.
With Ovechkin out, Hendrix Lapierre will remain in, while Max Pacioretty will go back to the left side.
Tom Wilson is back in the lineup after missing Thursday's game against the Kraken, and he will be wearing a full face shield.
Here are the line combinations:
Max Pacioretty-Dylan Strome-T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Tom Wilson
Hendrix Lapierre-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Anthony Mantha
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Ethan Bear-Nick Jensen
Joel Edmundson-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Washington Capitals Injury Report
- Ovechkin (lower-body) has been a game-time decision for the last three games as he continues to deal with an ailment following a collision with Jordan Staal on Jan. 5.
- Wilson (broken nose) wasn't feeling good on Thursday and couldn't play, but was more optimistic sounding after practicing fully on Friday. He was in a full face shield.
- Rasmus Sandin (upper-body) skated in a non-contact jersey on Friday but is still out of the lineup and will miss his fourth straight game. The first two missed were because of illness before he was diagnosed with an upper-body injury.
- Sonny Milano (upper-body) will miss his 16th consecutive game but has been making progress and skating in a non-contact jersey.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Ovechkin is riding a six-game point streak.
- Max Pacioretty has points in back-to-back games and scored his first goals since returning from his re-torn Achilles back on Thursday.
- Nic Dowd has points in four of his last six games.
- Lindgren last faced the Rangers on Dec. 29, posting 31 saves en route to a shutout in his first NHL game against his brother, Ryan.
How To Watch Capitals vs. Rangers
The Capitals and Rangers will face off on primetime television today, and the game will be broadcast on ABC. It will also be streamed live on ESPN+.
Fans can also tune in on Caps Radio 24/7 and 106.7 FM.