Here's where things stand when it comes to the Capitals roster taking shape.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — After making numerous cuts on Monday, the Washington Capitals went back to the drawing board to put their remaining players into two groups. Group A was very close to what the opening night roster could look like. Group B was a different story.

Ivan Miroshnichenko, Hendrix Lapierre and more hopefuls and fringe players were grouped together in the second group, raising questions as to whether or not those not in Group A would be the odd men out. However, that's not the case, and Spencer Carbery made that clear.

Carbery said on Monday that the opening night roster is nowhere near set, an there are still a number of players in the fight for a spot.

"There's a lot of players that are right there," Carbery said, explaining that Monday's groupings were more for the coaching staff to get a fast-paced practice in with four forward lines, three defense pairings and two goaltenders. "[I explained to the prospects] 'You guys are still very involved in this,' and no decisions have been made yet."

Right now, though, there do appear to be a handful of leaders when it comes to the competition for a spot.

Matthew Phillips, who has a goal and assist through two preseason games so far, has put the coaching staff on notice with a standout showing at camp so far. The 5-foot-7 forward may be undersized, but he can get to the dirty areas and has the skill, speed and ability to pack a punch on offense.

In addition to Phillips, forwards Aliaksei Protas, Beck Malenstyn and Connor McMichael have also staked their claim for a full-time spot.

Meanwhile, on the blue line, Hardy Häman Aktell has taken charge with a stellar showing at camp. He has been sound defensively in two preseason games and is not only using his size, physicality and reach to his advantage, but he's mobile and fluid in his skating, can join the rush and doesn't shy away from shooting the puck.

Alex Alexeyev, Lucas Johansen and Vincent Iorio are all still very much in the race for a spot as well, with Joel Edmundson out for the next 4-6 weeks following hand surgery. But for now, it appears that Häman Aktell has all but secured an extended look in D.C., and Carbery said that he is open to keeping him on board as a seventh defensemen to open play.

"He's been a real pleasant surprise; I've liked his game a lot. He's old enough and mature enough [to be a seventh defenseman]. I see what you're getting at: is he better served playing? Maybe there's a point in that, but I don't feel like he's in a situation where maybe Vinny Iorio's a little bit different [in that regard]."

There are three more preseason games to go before the Capitals will finalize their roster by the 5 p.m. deadline on Monday. The team will open the season on Oct. 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.