The Capitals are putting Miroshnichenko with Strome and Protas as they look to fill Alex Ovechkin's void on offense.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — With Alex Ovechkin missing on the top line, the Washington Capitals are looking for the right puzzle piece to go in his place alongside Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, and on Saturday, it'll be Ivan Miroshnichenko's turn.
Miroshnichenko will make his Capitals season debut on the first line with Strome and Protas, as head coach Spencer Carbery looks to provide a spark to that trio with the captain sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks with a broken left fibula.
"Wasn't a huge fan of Strome's line last game for whatever reason, whether it's a product of Pro and Stromer not playing to their standard or using (Andrew Mangiapane) on that. So we'll get a different look there," Carbery said.
Carbery also said he wanted a natural right winger on that top trio, which would give Protas the chance to play on his stronger left side, and also said it would be a good opportunity for Strome to continue building on his leadership.
"I think this is one for Stromer as he continues to progress in his career and grow into being a leader, a first-line centerman in this league that can be really, really productive," Carbery added. "Part of that is making other players better. So that is a good challenge for him to help Miro along on his line with Pro and help that threesome become a productive line for us."
Earlier in the week, the bench boss hadn't been keen on automatically replacing Ovechkin with the 20-year-old, who resembles the Russian superstar in more ways than one. However, his enthusiasm and ability make him an easy player to fit into that void.
"A lot of energy. Tons of pace in his game with his skating, competitiveness on the puck, and go out and do his thing," Carbery noted.
That said, the Capitals aren't expecting him to replace Ovechkin and automatically score a lot; they just want the winger, who had seven goals in 16 games with Hershe to start the season, to be himself.
"I don't want him to overthink it, just go out and play as hard as he possibly can, be good with the puck and hopefully contribute the way that we think he can," Carbery said.
