Capitals vs. Flyers: Lines, Injury Report, Storylines To Watch & Full Preview

Here's everything to know before puck drop between the Capitals and Flyers.

After a quick stop back in the District, the Washington Capitals are taking things back on the road and are looking to start a three-game swing on the right foot when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

Here's everything to know before the Metropolitan Division showdown. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center.

The Capitals are dealing with some absences up front, as Sonny Milano and Evgeny Kuznetsov will both draw out of the mix.

Milano went on the injured reserve on Thursday morning. Milano's injury is an upper-body ailment that he suffered over the weekend, and though he practiced through it over the last two days, he will be out of the lineup for the time being.

In turn, Washington recalled Joe Snively from the AHL's Hershey Bears to take his place. Snively, who has 21 points in 25 games to open 2023-24, will replace Milano in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Kuznetsov will miss Thursday's game due to illness. It is the fourth game he's missed this year and his third due to illness. Matthew Phillips will draw in for No. 92 and will start the game at center, but expect Dylan Strome, Connor McMichael and Nic Dowd to take on double shifts there, too, with center being a somewhat unfamiliar position for the 25-year-old.

Here are the line combinations for Thursday's tilt:

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha

Joe Snively-Matthew Phillips-T.J. Oshie

Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Martin Fehervary-John Carlson

Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen

Charlie Lindgren will get the start, with Darcy Kuemper backing up.

Beyond Milano, Max Pacioretty and Nicklas Backstrom are the only other injuries up front. Pacioretty is on the road trip and skating but is still 2-3 weeks away from returning to the lineup as he recovers from a re-torn Achilles. Backstrom remains on an indefinite leave of absence, with his hip not responding to resurfacing surgery in June 2022.

This is a key Metro Division showdown, as both teams are looking to stake their claim as a top-3 team in the division. With a win, the Capitals can overtake Philly for third in the Metro.

Washington, who has won back-to-back games and points in three straight, has started to get the offense going and has managed four goals in three consecutive outings, with 11 of those 12 tallies coming at 5-on-5.

Dylan Strome leads the team in goals over that span (3), followed by Anthony Mantha (2), who continues to find his game and show chemistry with Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas.

The power play still leaves a lot to be desired, as the Capitals are still operating at just 6.9 percent. Alex Ovechkin, who is looking to bust out amid the longest goal drought of his career, was moved from his "office" during practice, though it's unclear if this will be present during a game.

Still, busting out on the man advantage will be difficult against the Flyers. They own the fifth-best penalty kill in the league (86.7 percent).

In the end, offense is what will win this game. Goals aren't coming easy for either side, and neither club gives up much, so it'll come down to who can find twine.

- Mantha has points in three straight games and goals in back-to-back outings.

- Strome has three goals in his last three games.

- McMichael and Wilson have points in two of their last three outings.

- Nic Dowd is coming off a two-goal outing, and linemates Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aube-Kubel have points in back-to-back games.

- Snively will make his season debut after what head coach Spencer Carbery called a difficult camp not reflective of his capabilities. So look for him to show what he can do in his call-up.

- Washington will face former teammate Garnet Hathaway for the second time since his trade to the Boston Bruins last season. Hathaway scored in his first game against his former team last April. He signed with the Flyers this summer.