Capitals Confirm Roster For Preseason Opener Against Sabres; Projected Combos & Names To Watch

Anthony Mantha and Matthew Phillips are among those playing in the Capitals' opener against Buffalo.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals have their roster set for their preseason opener against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, mixing a handful of veterans and regulars in with rising stars.

Spencer Carbery confirmed that Saturday's Group A players will be playing barring any setbacks. Anthony Mantha and Dylan Strome lead the regulars expected to suit up, while Matthew Phillips is expected to make his Capitals preseason debut.

Here were the line combinations for the game group:

Sonny Milano-Hendrix Lapierre-Anthony Mantha

Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Matthew Phillips

Jake Karabela-Riley Sutter-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Alexander Suzdalev-Ryan Hofer-Henrik Rybinski/Bogdan Trineyev

Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Vincent Iorio

Lucas Johansen-Dylan McIlrath

Nick Leivermann-Jon McDonald

Hunter Shepard

Clay Stevenson

Carbery also ran two power-play units during practice, which featured Milano, Strome, Lapierre, Mantha and Iorio in the first group and Protas, Suzdalev, Rybinski, Phillips and Van Riemsdyk in the second group.

Keep an eye on Phillips, who's had a strong start to training camp and is looking to prove he can be a full-time NHLer. The 5-foot-7 forward is coming off a stellar campaign with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers and signed as a free agent this summer.

Mantha's also worth monitoring, as he's impressed to pen camp as he looks to bounce back following a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.

Also watch for Riley Sutter, who earned high praise from management this offseason following the Calder Cup run, as well as Hendrix Lapierre and Ryan Hofer.

Here's another look at the full Group A roster:

Forwards: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Ryan Hofer, Jake Karabela, Hendrix Lapierre, Sonny Milano, Matthew Phillips, Aliaksei Protas, Henrik Rybinski, Dylan Strome, Riley Sutter, Alexander Suzdalev, Bogdan Trineyev

Defense: Alex Alexeyev, Martin Fehervary, Vincent Iorio, Lucas Johansen, Nick Leivermann, Jon McDonald, Dylan Mcilrath, Trevor van Riemsdyk

Goaltenders: Clay Stevenson, Hunter Shepard

Washington faces Buffalo at Capital One Arena on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.