Forward Daniel Sprong took line rushes on the second line at the Washington Capitals’ morning skate prior to Game 5 of their 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff first-round series against the Boston Bruins. He skated in place of Michael Raffl, hinting that he will suit up after sitting Games 3 and 4 in Boston as a healthy scratch.

Raffl will likely serve as a healthy scratch. The Capitals will not confirm their lineup during the Stanley Cup Playoffs until pregame skates.

Carlson on tonight’s must-win: “You have to look really shortsighted in this moment. We’re a good team; we haven’t performed like we’re capable or like we want to but we can change that tonight.” #Caps

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 23, 2021

The team opted to switch center Evgeny Kuznetsov back to the top power-play unit and forward Anthony Mantha to the second unit after going just one-for-seven on the power play in a 4-1 loss at TD Garden in Game 4.

Capitals power play units:

PP1: Carlson, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Oshie, Mantha

PP2: Orlov, Schultz, Wilson, Kuznetsov, Eller

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) May 23, 2021

Defenseman Michal Kempny, who has not played this season while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery undergone on October 6 and was injured again when he collided with a shoveler during his conditioning stint with the AHL’s Hershey Bears on May 8, skated in a regular jersey but did not take line rushes.

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov left the ice at morning skate first, signaling that he will make his third consecutive start in Game 5. He posted a .913 save percentage and a 2.96 goals-against average in Games 3 and 4.

Forward T.J. Oshie participated in the Capitals’ morning skate after missing each of the past two despite playing in every game in the first round.

Lots of “juice” – stick taps, hollering and pace – at the a.m. skate. Not sure how much that means but it’s better than the alternative for a #Caps team facing elimination tonight.

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 23, 2021

The Bruins will play defenseman Jarred Tinordi for Kevan Miller, who is unavailable after taking a hit from Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov in Game 4, on Sunday. Miller was taken to the hospital on Friday. Defenseman Steven Kampfer will not be available for the Bruins for the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an arm injury.

Capitals’ Lines for Game 5

WSH lines and pairs ahead of tonight’s must-win Game 5 vs. BOS:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Mantha
Sprong-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Sheary-Eller-Oshie
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway

Orlov-Carlson
Dillon-Schultz
Chara-Jensen

Samsonov
Anderson
Copley#Caps #CapsBruins

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 23, 2021

Bruins’ Lines for Game 5

Bruins morning rushes, pre-Game 5:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastnrak
Hall-Krejci-Smith
Ritchie-Coyle-DeBrusk
Kuraly-Lazar-Wagner
Frederic

Grzelcyk-McAvoy
Reilly-Carlo
Tinordi-Clifton
Wolff-Vaakanainen

Rask
Swayman

— Matt Porter (@mattyports) May 23, 2021

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By Harrison Brown