The Capitals will be on the road on Saturday as they take on the Red Wings, and there's a lot to keep an eye on.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are taking things on the road for the first time this preseason on Saturday in Detroit, and not only will the blue line battle continue, but the team is also keeping its eyes open to see who the extra forward will be when the regular season opens on Oct. 13.
Matthew Phillips, Aliaksei Protas, Joe Snively and Beck Malenstyn earned shoutouts from head coach Spencer Carbery at Saturday's morning skate, as each of them has the potential to make noise and pursue a spot as the team's 13th or 14th forward. Each of them will play against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Here are the lines:
Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-Matthew Phillips
Anthony Mantha-Hendrix Lapierre-Ethen Frank
Joe Snively-Aliaksei Protas-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Beck Malenstyn-Riley Sutter-Bogdan Trineyev
Martin Fehervary-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Alex Alexeyev-Chase Priskie
Hardy Häman Aktell-Dylan McIlrath
Hunter Shepard will play the full game.
Washington's defensemen are also tasked with showing what they can do as they fight for Joel Edmundson's spot on the opening night roster, and Chase Priskie is the player to watch on Saturday. He will get his first preseason game since returning to the organization and is looking to show that he can be an NHL player and a potential dark horse. He was paired with Trevor van Riemsdyk on Friday but will be on the right side working with Alex Alexeyev on Saturday. Hardy Häman Aktell will also be in the lineup.
Meanwhile, Nick Jensen is missing from practice for the third straight day due to personal reasons. Carbery would not comment further on the situation, but he will not be skating with the non-game group.