The Washington Capitals will be playing their third Metropolitan Division opponent when they take on the New York Islanders Thursday night at Capital One Arena. Washington will be looking for its fourth straight win.
Here are the projected lines for Thursday’s matchup.
#Caps’ lines, pairs and goalies after the big Backstrom news:
Ovechkin-Strome-Wilson
Milano-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Mantha-McMichael-Phillips
Malenstyn-Lapierre-ProtasFehervary-Carlson
Sandin-TvR
Haman Aktell-Jensen
Alexeyev-JohansenKuemper
Lindgren— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 1, 2023
The Capitals will be without forward Nicklas Backstrom as he announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping away from the game to address his health. Connor McMichael will move to center and Hendrix Lapierre will center the fourth line for the second consecutive game.
Tom Wilson was testing out a new base layer with neck protection along with defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell. This comes following the tragic death of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Johnson, who was cut by a skate blade in the neck during a game in the United Kingdom. It eventually took his life, sending shockwaves around the hockey world.
Wilson on the Warroad brand base layer shirt w/ neck protection that he wore: “I didn’t really notice it all. We’ll see. I’m not sure if I’ll wear it tonight yet. I have to get used to it a little bit. It’s not big deal if it’s going to protect you.” #Caps https://t.co/NX8XQJA6cy
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 2, 2023
Defenseman Joel Edmundson participated in the morning skate, but Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said that he is still a ways away from suiting up. Edmundson is recovering from a fractured hand that he suffered during a scrimmage. He is not eligible to return until Nov. 9.
The Capitals’ next home win will mark the 1,000th home win in franchise history. Washington’s all-time record at home is 999-654-153-96 (.591 point percentage). The Capitals can become the 15th team in NHL history to win 1,000 home games and the first franchise to do so that entered the NHL in 1974 or later.
The Capitals have earned 553 wins at Capital One Arena (formerly Verizon Center and MCI Center), 444 wins at Capital Centre, one win at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (2018 Stadium Series) and one win at Nationals Park (2015 Winter Classic). The combined attendance for the Capitals’ 999 home wins exceeds 15 million.
The Capitals will take on the Islanders at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
By Jacob Cheris