Capitals vs. Blackhawks: Line Combinations, Injury Updates & What To Know
The Capitals will visit the Blackhawks on Friday for the first game of their Mentors' Trip.
The Washington Capitals are looking to kick their Mentors’ Trip off on the right foot as they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
Here’s what to know before puck drop at 8 p.m. at United Center.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals will see some lineup tweaks as Aliaskei Protas draws back in. Declan Chisholm will get a chance to play on defense, and Logan Thompson starts.
Here are the line combinations:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Connor McMichael-Justin Sourdif-Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Anthony Beauvillier
Ethen Frank-Hendrix Lapierre-Brett Leason
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Matt Roy
Rasmus Sandin-Declan Chisholm
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Washington Capitals Injury Updates
Aliaksei Protas is making his return to the lineup after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury.
To open a roster spot for Protas, Tom Wilson has been placed on the injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 3. He remains day-to-day and is still progressing and skating in a non-contact jersey, and is eligible to be activated as soon as Sunday, though a Tuesday return is likelier.
Justin Sourdif and Jakob Chychrun are both good to go and in the lineup after leaving Friday’s practice with respective injuries.
Washington Capitals Stats & Storylines
Aliaksei Protas enters Friday’s contest on a five-game point streak with points in seven of the last eight overall.
Alex Ovechkin has three goals in his last two games and is two away from his 21st 20-goal season.
Justin Sourdif has nine points in his last five games.
Ryan Leonard has points in four of his last five outings.
Dylan Strome has found the scoresheet in eight of the last 11 outings.
John Carlson has points in back-to-back games.
Connor Bedard makes his long-awaited return to Chicago’s lineup, and it will be a tall task for D.C. to try and shut him down.