Kuznetsov had missed his fourth game of the season — and third overall due to illness — for the Capitals on Thursday, but is back in the mix vs. the Predators.
The Washington Capitals got some positive news on the forward lines, as Evgeny Kuznetsov is back in the mix for Saturday's tilt with the Nashville Predators.
Kuznetsov will suit up after missing Thursday's loss to the Philadelphia Flyers with an illness, head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters in Nashville. He has missed four games this season in total, including three due to illness and the other due to a healthy scratch.
The 31-year-old will return to his third-line center spot and likely skate alongside T.J. Oshie and Joe Snively, who is filling in for an injured Sonny Milano.
Matthew Phillips, who slotted in at pivot for Kuznetsov on Thursday, got just three shifts on Thursday as the team ran with three centers for the majority of the tilt with Philly. Expect him to be the odd man out up front.
Here are the projected combinations, as the "McProMo" second line stays together while Dylan Strome remains the top-line center to Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson.
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Joe Snively-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen
Meanwhile, Charlie Lindgren will get the start for the Capitals. Two nights ago, he had 32 saves on 35 shots to help his team extend its point streak. With Lindgren going against Nashville, Darcy Kuemper will start Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes to close out the weekend back-to-back for Washington.
Puck drop is at 8 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena.