WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are back after a few days to regroup following a lengthy and busy road swing and final stop at home. They’re in for a tough one, though, as they host the Carolina Hurricanes.
Here’s what to know before puck drop at 7 p.m.
John Carlson is back in the mix for the Capitals after missing the last three games with an upper-body injury.
Washington is still missing Ryan Leonard (3-4 weeks, shoulder) and Charlie Lindgren (day-to-day, upper-body). Garin Bjorklund is up from Hershey and backing up Logan Thompson.
Here are the line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Connor McMichael
Aliaksei Protas-Justin Sourdif-Tom Wilson
Anthony Beauvillier-Nic Dowd-Ethen Frank
Brandon Duhaime-Hendrix Lapierre-Sonny Milano
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Garin Bjorklund
Aliaksei Protas is riding a six-game point streak.
Tom Wilson has points in nine of his last 10 contests.
Jakob Chychrun’s 11 goals lead all NHL defensemen this season.