The Washington Capitals held a morning skate prior to their Saturday night tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here is what you need to know.
RELATED: Game Preview: Waiting For Columbus
Charlie Lindgren will get his second straight start, and fourth start in six games, after leading the Capitals to a 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Darcy Kuemper will back up Lindgren after he was injured in Wednesday’s practice.
Carbery on the goalies: “I understand the optics and questions and Darcy and how that will come into question. But at the same time it’s an 82 gm schedule and I know that we’re going to need multiple goaltenders…Charlie is playing well and Charlie deserves to play again.” #Caps https://t.co/icClxrnUky
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) November 18, 2023
Evgeny Kuznetsov will not play due to illness, which means that Connor McMichael will play on the first power play unit. The Caps power play is 0-for-19 in the last seven games. Meanwhile, Hendrix Lapierre will draw back into the lineup with Kuznetsov’s absence.
It is unclear whether Joel Edmundson will return to the lineup. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said after Friday’s practice that he is “to be determined”.
“[Columbus is] one of the top teams in the League off the rush … They’ve given us trouble and we need to get that corrected and be on our toes tonight.”
Head coach Spencer Carbery on the keys to tonight’s matchup with the Blue Jackets.#CapsJackets pic.twitter.com/d7lqKZtUmN
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 18, 2023
According to Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post, Matthew Phillips, Alex Alexeyev and Dylan McIlrath were the last three to leave the ice, which usually indicates that they are healthy scratches. However, the Caps don’t have enough healthy defensemen to scratch both of them. That will be a storyline to watch during warmups.
As was rightly pointed out, I cannot do math — Caps don’t have enough healthy defensemen for both Alexeyev and McIlrath to sit, unless Edmundson is ready to go. Carbery didn’t confirm if he’s playing, so that’ll be a fun mystery for us to solve this evening https://t.co/5GKfsURUR1
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) November 18, 2023
Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
By Jacob Cheris
If I’m doing the math correctly, there needs to be another roster move made before Edmundson gets back in the lineup. Sending Aktell back to Hershey was enough of a move to work in both Mantha and TVR. But without further moves, we have 14 F, 8 D, and 2 goalies. So, somebody has to go, one way or another.
Frankly, I would give Edmundson another day off and have Alexeyev in the lineup tonight. After that, make another move before Wednesday’s game.
McIlrath now sent officially sent down and Edmundson activated.
Sucks not having Kuzy out there, but it’ll be a good opportunity to see CMM on the 2nd line and Lappy on the 3rd. He wasn’t a good fit for the 4th line, so hopefully this will be more conductive to his skillset.
Greetings folks,
If you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to NoVa Caps in the “subscribe” box on the upper right side of the page. You will be sent all of the latest news and analysis, as soon as it is published. Thank you for your continued support.
Go Caps!