Photo: @Capitals

For the first time in 20 years, Washington D.C. will host a conference final game on Tuesday night. Fittingly enough, it’ll be the Washington Capitals, who were the last team to make it this far. The Capitals will take the ice at Capital One Arena to a raucous crowd with the goal of going up 3-0 on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Here’s how the team is projected to line up based on line rushes from morning skate Tuesday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

CAPITALS LINES

Forwards
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Burakovsky-Stephenson-Connolly
Smith Pelly-Beagle-Chiasson
Defense
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Starting goalie: Braden Holtby

NOTES
There were no changes to the lineup from Game 2. Nicklas Backstrom (upper-body) was once again on the ice for the second morning skate in a row and did everything except take line rushes or practice on the power play.

Nicklas Backstrom is skating with the team today but did not take part in line rushes #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7nUZz935le

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 15, 2018

Lars Eller remained in Backstrom’s spot on the second line and the top power play unit.

Backstrom didn’t partake in special teams drills. Lars Eller remained in his spot on the top power play unit but the tiger has done well filling in for Backstrom 🐯 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ibjDXzXRkV

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 15, 2018

Coach Barry Trotz told the media once again said Backstrom is day-to-day, however when he was asked if he would rule him out tonight, Trotz said that he won’t answer that question. He did acknowledge that Backstrom is making progress (Video via @TarikNBCS)

Here is your daily Nicklas Backstrom update from Coach Barry Trotz, who answered 3 questions in 12 seconds. #Caps #CapsBolts pic.twitter.com/8mFncEtHLP

— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) May 15, 2018

By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NoVa Caps (@nova_caps)