WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals could get Dylan Strome back in the mix as soon as tonight.
Strome, who left Saturday’s loss to the Ottawa Senators after a scary-looking lower-body injury suffered in the first period, was a full go at morning skate, and is officially a game-time decision for Friday’s tilt with the New York Islanders.
The 28-year-old, who has 10 points in nine games to open the season, missed Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Stars, but has skated the last two days and was officially cleared for contact on Friday. Coach Spencer Carbery said that he’ll check with the medical staff and trainers before making a decision on Strome’s status.
If he is in, expect him to skate on a top line with Alex Ovechkin and Ryan Leonard, and Connor McMichael, who slotted in at center there, to pivot to the wing with Hendrix Lapierre staying at pivot.
On defense, Rasmus Sandin remains out for Friday and is unlikely to play on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. He’s dealing with a day-to-day upper-body injury and is still in a non-contact jersey and on the injured reserve. Ethen Frank, who was hurt after running into Mikko Rantanen on Tuesday, is on the IR and has not skated, and there is no update on his status.
Logan Thompson will start Friday, with Charlie Lindgren getting the nod in Buffalo.
Here are the projected lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Ryan Leonard
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Connor McMichael-Hendrix Lapierre-Justin Sourdif
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Anthony Beauvillier
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy
Declan Chisholm-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.