WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are back in downtown for one final game before their Olympic break, taking on the Nashville Predators.
They’ll have most of their forward lineup back for the first time in a long time, featuring the return of Pierre-Luc Dubois after surgery and a 47-game absence.
Here’s what to know before puck drop.
As Pierre-Luc Dubois makes his return for D.C., Sonny Milano draws out due to personal reasons. Connor McMichael also remains out through the break as he deals with a week-to-week, upper-body injury.
Logan Thompson also makes his return from an upper-body injury, starting his final game before leaving to represent Team Canada at the Olympics with Tom Wilson. Martin Fehervary is also headed to Milan, representing Team Slovakia.
Clay Stevenson remains up and is the backup with Charlie Lindgren still out through the break with a lower-body ailment.
Here are the line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Ethen Frank
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Anthony Beauvillier-Justin Sourdif-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Hendrix Lapierre
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Clay Stevenson
Anthony Beauvillier has goals in back-to-back games, along with an assist.
Aliaksei Protas is on a three-game point streak, with six points in his last seven overall.
Jakob Chychrun has six points in the last five games.