It was a busy day for the Capitals after a day off and first round of cuts.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals got back to work Tuesday after enjoying a day off, and the intensity was cranked up once again as Spencer Carbery got to work with some similar and not-so-similar line combinations.
Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Anthony Mantha were together again, while John Carlson and Rasmus Sandin stuck together. With new groups following Monday's first round of cuts, there were some familiar combos reunited.
On defense, Trevor van Riemsdyk, who skated and is good to go after being hurt blocking a shot with his forearm on Sunday, saw a change to his pairing with Joel Edmundson out with an upper-body injury of his own.
Here are the full line combinations:
Group A
Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Anthony Mantha
Ivan Miroshnichenko-Matthew Phillips-Aliaksei Protas
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Alexander Suzdalev-Henrik Rybinski/Ryan Hofer-Mike Sgarbossa
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Aaron Ness-Dylan McIlrath
Nick Leivermann-Logan Day
Group B
Sonny Milano-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson
Connor McMichael-Dylan Strome-T.J. Oshie
Joe Snively-Hendrix Lapierre-Ethen Frank
Andrew Cristall-Riley Sutter-Alex Limoges/Bogdan Trineyev-
Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen
Lucas Johansen-Vincent Iorio
Hardy Haman Aktell-Chase Priskie
Jon McDonald-Jake Massie
Edmundson is being evaluated and the severity of his injury is not known at this time. While it definitely hurts Washington's surefire third pairing, it does give Alex Alexeyev the opportunity to show what he can do and to prove he can be a full-time player in the lineup.
Among the standouts, Matthew Phillips looked strong and continues to showcase his skill and poise, and got the chance to show what he can do at center between Ivan Miroshnichenko and Aliaksei Protas, who cited Phillips' skill as a major asset on that line. Ovechkin also continues to look strong, and Riley Sutter also impressed during his drills.
Also keep an eye on Hardy Haman Aktell and Lucas Johansen, two left-hand shots who could make some noise if Edmundson's injury is longer term. Chase Priskie is also a dark horse, as well as Vincent Iorio, who led Washington in ice time on Sunday after TVR's exit.