Mantha is back in for the Capitals in a new role as the team skates in Easton, Maryland.
The Washington Capitals took things out to the shore on Wednesday, holding a practice in Easton, Maryland, as they remain across the Bay Bridge for some team bonding and time away before the puck drops on the new NHL season.
Before practice, Washington unveiled their opening night roster, which features the likes of Matthew Phillips and Lucas Johansen.
Lines were similar to what they were on Monday, with one big change: Anthony Mantha is back in, and Phillips is the extra.
However, Mantha isn't just taking Phillips' spot; the bottom-6 sees a whole change, as Mantha will operate on the fourth line while Aliaksei Protas will move up to take Phillips' spot on the third line with Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano.
On the blue line, Lucas Johansen remains in the lineup, with Alex Alexeyev as the textra.
Here were the lines, per Monumental Sports Network's Tarik El-Bashir:
Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-T.J. Oshie
Connor McMichael-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Anthony Mantha
Matthew Phillips
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Lucas Johansen-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren
Mantha had an up-and-down performance to open training camp and the preseason. He excelled in the skate test, but was snakebitten again during the preseason, as the 29-year-old was unable to convert on a handful of high-quality chances. He did appear to be dialled in at times and showed flashes of speed and skill.
Phillips is coming off a stellar training camp and preseason that saw him easily beat out the competition for a roster spot. He had two goals and an assist through five preseason games and showed great chemistry with Sonny Milano and Dylan Strome.
For now, though, Mantha will get a chance to show what he can do with his ice time.
Other notes: Ivan Miroshnichenko was officially sent down to the Hershey Bears on Wednesday and will begin his North American pro career in the AHL... Hardy Häman Aktell, who was expected to make the roster, will remain down in Hershey to start the year... Joel Edmundson is on the injured reserve, and Max Pacioretty is on the LTIR.