Here's everything to know as the Capitals take on the Golden Knights at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals have turned things around after a lackluster start to the 2023-24 campaign, and they'll be in for their biggest test yet as they take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.
Washington (7-4-2) has won six of its last eight games and sits third in the Metropolitan Division, while Vegas (12-1-2) is off to its best start in franchise history.
Here's everything to know before puck drop, as George McPhee, Joel Ward and Chandler Stephenson (not playing but in town) return to Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Lines
The Capitals are ailing big time right now and are missing three regular blueliners from the mix. Anthony Mantha is also still missing up front.
That said, Lucas Johansen and Matthew Phillips are expected to take on bigger roles on Tuesday to help fill the voids.
Charlie Lindgren, meanwhile, will get the start with Darcy Kuemper, who missed the last two games with injury, backing up.
Here are the lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-Matthew Phillips
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-T.J. Oshie
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Lucas Johansen-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Nick Jensen
Alex Alexeyev-Dylan McIlrath
Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper
Washington Capitals Injury Report
Out: Joel Edmundson (hand), Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower-body), Anthony Mantha (puck to face), Martin Fehrvary (lower-body, also unlikely for the weekend),
In: Darcy Kuemper
Long-term: Max Pacioretty (Achilles), Nicklas Backstrom (hip, unlikely to play again this season)
For more insight and quotes from head coach Spencer Carbery, here's the full injury report for Tuesday's tilt:
Washington Capitals Keys To Success
The top priority will be defense and staying on the same page. The Capitals did everything right against the New York Islanders, sacrificing the body, blocking shots and staying sharp against top players. Keeping that up will be vital against Vegas, which averages 3.67 goals per game (fifth most in the league).
Keeping up the offense will be key, too. Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov have been strong and contributing in the last couple of games, and keeping that upward trend going will be vital against a team like Vegas, which gives up the second-least amount of goals per game in the league (2.13)
Finally, the penalty kill will be vital for Washington. The Capitals have killed off 18 straight penalties over eight games, and the Golden Knights can do a lot of damage on the man advantage.
Washington Capitals Players To Watch
- Ovechkin has two goals and an assist in his last two games. Look for him to try and build off the weekend as he looks to catch up in the goal-scoring department.
- The fourth line of Nic Dowd, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Beck Malenstyn has found its identity at long last, and it has combined for six points in the last two games.
- Kuznetsov also has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last two games. He also leads all NHL forwards in ice time per game, logging 21:53 minutes a night on average.
- Connor McMichael has points in two of his last three outings.