The Capitals will face the Rangers for the first time since being swept in the first round last year.
WASHINGTON — The last time the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers met, the game ended in a final handshake, as New York swept Washington in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and ended their season.
Now, the new-look Capitals are hoping for a much different result and performance in their first meeting of the new year, which has seen both teams manage hot starts to the year.
Here is everything to know before puck drop at Capital One Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals will see one significant change on the forward lines, with call-up Mike Sgarbossa making his season debut as Hendrix Lapierre draws out as a healthy scratch. Sonny Milano is the other healthy scratch up front.
Sgarbossa is up with D.C. as another center option, with Spencer Carbery not wanting to break up the second line as Connor McMichael thrives at the wing.
On defense, Matt Roy remains out with a lower-body injury but is making progress, as he has joined the group in a non-contact jersey. Dylan McIlrath remains in for him, as Alex Alexeyev will be scratched for the eighth straight game to open the year.
Washington will continue to alternate between goaltenders, as Logan Thompson takes over the crease following Charlie Lindgren's loss in Tampa Bay.
Here are the lines:
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Alex Ovechkin
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana-Mike Sgarbossa-Andrew Mangiapane
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh
Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Dylan McIlrath
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Stats
- Dylan Strome has points in six of his last seven games and leads D.C. with nine points to open the season.
- Connor McMichael has also found the scoresheet in four of his last five games.
- Logan Thompson has a .910 save percentage in two career games vs. the Rangers.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin has two goals through seven games this season but has enjoyed success against New York in his career with 42 total goals in 73 career games against the Blueshirts. After being held without a point in last year's playoff series, expect him to be hungry.
- Tuesday marks Mike Sgarbossa's season debut. The 32-year-old has appeared in just three games against the Rangers over his career, managing one assist, but look for him to make an impact as he tries to form chemistry with Jakub Vrana and Andrew Mangiapane.
- The power play is seeing significant personnel changes with the team going 0-for-17 on the man advantage over the last five games and managing the third-lowest power-play percentage in the league (8.7) to open the year. Vrana has moved up to the top unit with Mangiapane, while Pierre-Luc Dubois has shifted down.
Here's more on the team's changes to the PP as it looks to ignite a spark against New York.
- Matt Rempe will be in the lineup for the Rangers, but the Capitals aren't changing their approach; in fact, they don't really care that he'll be in the mix.