NHL Game Preview: New York Rangers at Washington Capitals with Line Combinations 12/31/2025

AP Photo/Tom Brenner

New York Rangers (19-17-5, 43 pts) at Washington Capitals (20-14-5, 45 pts)

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New York Rangers News & Notes:

The Rangers dropped their second straight on Monday with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes. They’re 2-2-1 in their last five games, averaging three goals per game while allowing 2.8 goals per game.

Washington Capitals News & Notes:

The Capitals suffered a 5-3 loss to the Panthers on Monday. They’ve dropped four of their last five games, averaging 3.2 goals per game while allowing 4.6 goals per game.

New York Rangers Projected Lines

Panarin–Zibanejad–Lafrenière
Perreault–Trocheck–Cuylle Brodzinski
Sheary–Laba–Raddysh
Brodzinski–Carrick–Rempe

Gavrikov–Schneider
Soucy–Borgen
Robertson–Morrow

Shesterkin
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Washington Capitals Projected Lines

Protas-Sourdif-Ovechkin
McMichael-Strome-Wilson
Leonard-Dowd-Beauvillier
Duhaime-Lapierre-Frank

Fehervary-Carlson
Chychrun-Roy
Sandin-van Riemsdyk

Thompson
Lindgren

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Players To Watch:

New York Rangers

Vincent Trocheck had two goals and an assist in one of the two games against the Capitals this season. The Rangers were shut out in the other game.

Washington Capitals

Aliaksei Protas had a goal and an assist in one of the two games against the Rangers this season.

Injury Report:

New York Rangers

F Adam Edstrom – IR
F J.T. Miller – IR
D Adam Fox – IR

Washington Capitals

F Pierre-Luc Dubois – IR

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