The Capitals look to close out the series at home against the Canadiens. (Geoff Burke — Image Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f175a5c1-677c-4757-93a9-7e1730af4b2a.jpeg] The Capitals look to close out the series at home against the Canadiens. (Geoff Burke — Image Images) WASHINGTON — At home on Wednesday, the Washington Capitals can do what they haven’t done since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2018: win a playoff series. Washington, who leads 3-1 in the first round, will look to advance to the second round as it tries to eliminate the Montreal Canadiens [http://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] in Game 5. Here's everything to know before puck drop at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. WASHINGTON CAPITALS LINE COMBINATIONS The Capitals may have a key name back in the mix, as Aliaksei Protas appears likely to return [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/protas-appears-likely-to-return-for-capitals-in-game-5-vs-canadiens] after missing the last few weeks due to a skate cut to the foot. If Protas returns, Taylor Raddysh will be the one to draw out. Logan Thompson will start. That said, here are what the combinations could look like: Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Anthony Beauvillier Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Ryan Leonard Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Aliaksei Protas Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk Logan Thompson Charlie Lindgren WASHINGTON CAPITALS INJURY NOTES - Martin Fehervary [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/how-capitals-plan-to-navigate-blue-line-without-fehervary-going-forward] (meniscus) underwent knee surgery and is out for the rest of the playoffs. WASHINGTON CAPITALS STATS & STORYLINES - Dylan Strome ranks first on the Capitals in points with seven through four games as he continues to step up for D.C. this postseason. The Capitals Have Meant Everything To Dylan Strome, And Vice Versa. He's Taking Things To A Whole New Level In Playoffs: 'He Wants To Win So Badly' [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1e8cc587-6834-4e78-a877-7a07aba3d530.jpeg] The Capitals Have Meant Everything To Dylan Strome, And Vice Versa. He's Taking Things To A Whole New Level In Playoffs: 'He Wants To Win So Badly' ARLINGTON, V.A. — For Dylan Strome, the Washington Capitals have come to mean just about everything. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/players/the-capitals-have-meant-everything-to-dylan-strome-and-vice-versa-hes-taking-things-to-a-whole-new-level-in-playoffs-he-wants-to-win-so-badly] - Tom Wilson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/players/tom-wilson-wanted-to-be-better-for-the-capitals-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-he-turned-the-series-back-around-while-still-getting-under-canadiens-skin] had a series-changing hit that led to the game-tying goal in Game 4, and also had an empty-net goal last game. He has three points in four games so far. - Keep an eye on the bottom-6; Andrew Mangiapane had the game-winner on Sunday, and Brandon Duhaime struck twice en route to the team’s win.
