Capitals Game Notes: Ethan Bear A Scratch Again, Lindgren To Start vs. Stars

The Capitals are making some tweaks for their final game before the All-Star Break

The Washington Capital have nothing to show yet on a crucial four-game road trip, and their hope is that they won't leave empty-handed and can end things on a high note before the All-Star Break. In turn, they will make some changes for Saturday's game against the Dallas Stars.

Head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters in Dallas that there will be two lineup changes, as Trevor van Riemsdyk will draw back in after another healthy scratch, while Ethan Bear will draw out for his second healthy scratch in three games.

Defensive coverage has been an issue over the course of this trip, as the Capitals have yet to find the right balance on the blue line to shut down the likes of Nathan MacKinnon and other top stars of the Western Conference.

Charlie Lindgren will get the start in the final game before the break, which goes until Feb. 4.

Washington wasn't exactly disappointed with its 5-on-5 play against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, a game they dropped 6-2, so it's possible that the forward lines could remain intact.

Still, the hope is that the leadership group and offense can step up and find the back of the net. The Capitals have been outscored 14-5 and haven't led at any point on this trip so far.

Here are the projected combinations:

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Max Pacioretty

Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-T.J. Oshie

Anthony Mantha-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson

Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Martin Fehervary-John Carlson

Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen

Puck drop is at 2 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center.