The Capitals face some lineup questions ahead of Tuesday's tilt with Detroit.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals know that their season is in their hands on Tuesday, as they play host to the Detroit Red Wings with the chance to further stake their claim over a playoff spot.
They will do so shorthanded, though, as Sonny Milano is questionable for Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury while Tom Wilson serves the third game of a six-game suspension.
Per head coach Spencer Carbery, Milano has not been completely ruled out for Tuesday's contest. If Milano is out, Mike Sgarbossa will draw in and take his place.
Charlie Lindgren will get the start for D.C.
Washington knows what's at stake in this game. D.C. can not only build a three-point margin over the second Wild Card spot, but if Philadelphia loses in regulation, the team could steal third in the Metropolitan Division from the Flyers.
"I think we're in the middle of our playoffs right now," Nic Dowd said, adding, "I think this game has probably been circled on the schedule for a while for both teams. Obviously, looking at the standings, it has a lot of meaning where we'll sit right now. I think it's an opportnity for our team to take another step in the right direciton, as we've done in the last couple of weeks."
Here are the projected lines for Tuesday's showdown.
Alex Ovechkin-Connor McMichael-T.J. Oshie
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Ivan Miroshnichenko
Max Pacioretty-Hendrix Lapierre-Sonny Milano/Mike Sgarbossa
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk