The Capitals are looking to get back in the win column in their second game of the year without Alex Ovechkin.
WASHINGTON — As the Washington Capitals continue to adjust to life without captain Alex Ovechkin, they'll look to get back in the win column with a new-look lineup as they host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.
Washington is making a few adjustments after having a difficult time managing the puck on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche.
The biggest change will see Ivan Miroshnichenko make his season debut and draw in on the top line in Alex Ovechkin's spot, as he'll play on the right wing alongside Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.
With Miroshnichenko drawing into the mix, Jakub Vrana will be a healthy scratch, with head coach Spencer Carbery wanting him to work on his game away from the puck. Hendrix Lapierre will stay in, playing on the third line with Andrew Mangiapane and Lars Eller.
Charlie Liindgren will start as the goaltending rotation continues.
Here are the projected line combinations:
Aliaksei Protas-Dylan Strome-Ivan Miroshnichenko
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Hendrix Lapierre
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh
Jakob Chychrun-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Charlie Lindgren
Logan Thompson
- Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his first 5-on-5 goal of the season back on Thursday and has points in five of his last six games, producing at a point-per-game pace over that span.
- Dylan Strome has found the scoresheet in all but three games so far this season.
- Connor McMichael, the team's second-leading scorer behind Ovechkin, had two breakaways last game but failed to register a shot on either of them. Look for him to be hungry to get back on the scoresheet.
- ivan Miroshnichenko had seven goals through 16 games to open the seaosn with the AHL's Hershey Bears. Expect him to try and make an impact with Carbery relying on him to help ignite that top trio with Ovechkin sidelined.
- The Capitals power play went 0-for-2 last game, but has found recent life thanks to the captain. Still, it's a work in progress and will be hungry to produce.
- Washington has only allowed five goals in a game on two occasions this season; both of those instances came against New Jersey.