Here's everything to know as the Capitals play host to the Predators.
WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals ran out of gas back on Sunday, when four games in six nights and the second half of a back-to-back led to a loss for the surging team. It'll look to get back to its winning ways on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators, who are looking to salvage what's been a rough start to the year.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals blue line will be getting a huge boost against Nashville, as Matt Roy is set to make his return from his season-opening, lower-body injury that's held him out the last 10 games.
Roy will slot in on the second pairing with Rasmus Sandin while Dylan McIlrath draws out. Jakob Chychrun is still out with an upper-body injury but is making progress, and Alex Alexeyev will stay in the lineup and continue to take his place.
Up front, the forward lines will remain the same as they were against the Hurricanes, with Sonny Milano staying in for Jakub Vrana.
Logan Thompson will start in net.
Here are the combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Andrew Mangiapane-Hendrix Lapierre-Sonny Milano
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy
Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Stats
- Alex Ovechkin is riding a four-game goal streak, with five goals over that span. The 39-year-old is on pace for 52 goals, which would put him past not only Wayne Gretzky, but the 900-goal mark, by season's end.
Dylan Strome has gotten on the scoresheet in all but one game this season, and his 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) lead Washington.
- The Capitals' power play has goals in two of the last three games, but does continue to struggle overall. Offense as a whole is not an issue, though, as D.C. has five goals in five of its last eight outings and at least three goals in all but two games this year.
Washington Capitals Storylines
Milano is staying in for Vrana because head coach Spencer Carbery wants him to get more ice time to show what he can do and what he brings to the table. He didn't think that Milano got that chance with just 5:37 minutes skated against the Hurricanes. That said, Wednesday is a big game for him and his future.
- The Screamin' Eagle jersey makes it comeback against Nashville and will be worn for the first of six times this season on Wednesday.
Washington's top line has been hot beyond Ovechkin and Strome, as Aliaksei Protas has 12 points in 11 games to open the year. That top trio has combined for 43 points so far.
- Brandon Duhaime is on a three-game point streak, Nic Dowd has five points in his last seven games and his fourth line has been impressive overall. Look for them to make a statement again against Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and more.
