The Capitals play their fifth of six preseason games tonight when they face the Bruins at TD Garden in Boston. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
Lars Eller assumed Nicklas Backstrom’s position centering the second line at the team’s morning skate this morning at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Connor McMichael assumed Eller’s position centering the third line.
Capitals lines ahead of their game in BOS:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Mantha-Eller-Sprong
Sheary-McMichael-Oshie
Hagelin-Dowd-HathawayTvR-Carlson
Kempny-Schultz
Orlov-JensenVanecek
FucaleExtras: Lapierre, Malensytn, Irwin, Samsonov
No Fehervary (upper-body) on the ice.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) October 6, 2021
Tonight’s lines are likely to closely resemble the Capitals lineup for opening night next Wednesday when they host the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena. Ilya Samsonov would likely get the start should he be completely healthy.
Martin Fehervary, who was injured in the Capitals last preseason game against the Devils on Monday night, is listed “day-to-day” with an upper body injury. The 21-year-old did not play in the last 6:54 of the second period after he blocked a shot, which forced him to shake his hand.
Laviolette said he hopes Fehervary (upper-body) can play on Friday (team's preseason finale vs Philly). He said the concern level wasn't too high at this point.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) October 6, 2021
Fehervary, who earned three goals, 17 points, and a +10 rating in 24 AHL games with the Hershey Bears last season, tallied two hits in 11:12 of ice time against the Devils before leaving the game.
Fehervary is expected to crack the Capitals’ lineup full-time after Brenden Dillon (traded to Winnipeg Jets) and Zdeno Chara (signed with New York Islanders) left over the offseason.
By Jon Sorensen
These are opening night lines. Samsonov could be starter.