Capitals Roster For Preseason Tilt vs. Columbus Features Lindgren & Ovechkin, Mix Of Veterans As Vrana, Cristall & Hopefuls Get Another Look

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals will mix more veterans into the lineup as they take the ice on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but all the while, a handful of prospects and roster hopefuls will also get another opportunity to show what they can do in game action.

Alex Ovechkin, along with linemates Dylan Strome and Andrew Mangiapane, will be in the mix, along with regulars like Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson and Sonny Milano and Connor McMichael. Charlie Lindgren is expected to make his return to the crease, too, as he begins his quest to keep the No. 1 spot he won from Darcy Kuemper last season.

All the while, there will be a number of prospects and roster hopefuls getting another look as they try to prove to head coach Spencer Carbery that they belong in the lineup full-time.

Jakub Vrana, who is attending camp on a professional tryout, will get another game, as will forward prospects Andrew Cristall, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Ethen Frank, Pierrick Dubé and Henrik Rybinski.

The competition for the extra forward role is heating up, as Cristall has scored twice this preseason, while Miroshnichenko has shown plenty of speed and promise and Vrana took a big positive step on Wednesday. However, Frank has been called on to do more.

On the backend, Vincent Iorio will draw in again, along with Ethan Bear, who is trying to keep his spot in D.C. after a rough first season and time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Here is the full roster for Friday.

Forwards: Alex Ovechkin, Jakub Vrana, Sonny Milano, Dylan Strome, Mike Sgarbossa, Connor McMichael, Andrew Cristall, Ethen Frank, Henrik Rybinski, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Pierrick Dubé, Andrew Mangiapane

Defensemen: Vincent Iorio, Jakob Chychrun, Ethan Bear, Alex Alexeyev, John Carlson, Nick Lievermann, Jake Massie

Goaltenders: Charlie Lindgren, Clay Stevenson

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.

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