Capitals vs. Kings Preview: Line Combinations, Stats, Storylines To Watch

WASHINGTON — With an illness making its way through the locker room, the Washington Capitals face a tall task as they take on the Los Angeles Kings in the first game of a back-to-back to close things out before the holiday break.

Here's everything to know before puck drop at 5 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.

Though there is sickness spreading through the room, the lineup will stay the same as it was on Friday.

Alex Ovechkin remains out of the mix but is on the mend and expected to return after the holiday break. The same goes for Lars Eller, who's out with illness.

Logan Thompson will start for the Capitals.

Here are the lines:

Andrew Mangiapane-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson

Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Aliaksei Protas

Jakub Vrana-Hendrix Lapierre-Taylor Raddysh

Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Ivan Miroshnichenko

Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson

Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy

Logan Thompson

Charlie Lindgren

- Pierre-Luc Dubois has points in six of his last seven outings and nine points in his last eight games overall. This is his first game against L.A. since being traded this offseason.

- Connor McMichael leads Washington with 16 goals on the season.

- Keep an eye on Matt Roy, who had an assist last game and will face the Kings, his former team, for the first time in his career after six seasons with L.A.

- Darcy Kuemper is also making his return to D.C. for the first time since being traded this summer for Dubois.

- Watch out for Aliaksei Protas, who scored last game and is on pace for 69 points while continuing to be a force to be reckoned with for Washington.