Washington Capitals News

After evenly splitting starts for the first five weeks of the season, the Capitals will turn to Thompson between the pipes for the fourth time in five games. The 27-year-old Thompson has been excellent in his first season in Washington, yet to lose in regulation, posting a 2.63 GAA and .913 SV% in nine games (8-0-1). The Capitals enter the action on Thursday, without Alex Ovechkin (lower body), as +120 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club they defeated 5-2 on November 15th.

Alex Ovechkin (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve, week-to-week, resulting in Miroshnichenko being recalled from the Hershey Bears (AHL). The 20-year-old Miroshnichenko was the 20th overall pick of the Capitals in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 16 games with Hershey this season.

Ovechkin exited Monday's game late in the third period after a knee-on-knee collision with Utah HC's Jack McBain. Ovechkin is listed as week-to-week and the Capitals have recalled Ivan Miroshnichenko from the Hershey Bears (AHL). Before the injury on Monday, Ovechkin had a two-goal game, adding to his impressive start to the 2024-25 campaign with a league-leading 15 goals. The 39-year-old Ovechkin was well on his way to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record (894), only 27 away, a feat that could be jeopardized if he misses extended time.

Ovechkin exited Monday's game late in the third period after a knee-on-knee collision with Utah HC's Jack McBain. Ovechkin is listed as week-to-week. Before the injury on Monday, Ovechkin had a two-goal game, adding to his impressive start to the 2024-25 campaign with a league-leading 15 goals. The 39-year-old Ovechkin was well on his way to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record (894), only 27 away, a feat that could be jeopardized if he misses extended time.

Ovechkin was forced to leave Monday's contest in Utah after a knee-on-knee collision with Jack McBain and is being evaluated. Washington has a day off on Tuesday after playing back-to-back contests, and is expected to know more about the injury then. The Great 8 currently leads the NHL in goals with 15 after his two goal performance on Monday and is 27 goals awat from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record (894).

Fresh off a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights last night, the Capitals will switch to Lindgren between the pipes on Monday against the Utah Hockey Club. Lindgren has been the less consistent of the two Capitals goalies this season but has been serviceable, posting a 2.66 GAA and .897 SV% in eight games (4-4-0). The Capitals enter the action on Monday as slight -102 road underdogs against Utah HC.

Thompson will start on Sunday against his former team, the Vegas Golden Knights. The 27-year-old Thompson has been solid between the pipes this season, posting a 2.71 GAA and .906 SV% in eight games (7-0-1). He saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Golden Knights earlier this season.

Logan Thompson suffered his first loss of the season on Wednesday, and the Capitals will revert to Lindgren between the pipes on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old Lindgren has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, highlighted by a 2.76 GAA and .897 SV% in seven outings (4-3-0). The Capitals enter the action on Friday as +149 road underdogs against an Avalanche club welcoming Valeri Nichushkin, Jonathan Drouin, and Miles Wood back into their lineup.

Lars Eller will make his 2024-25 debut with the Capitals on Friday, resulting in Lapierre being a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Lapierre is averaging 10:25 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

For the first time this season, the Capitals will stray away from their even goalie rotation and turn to Thompson between the pipes for consecutive games. The 27-year-old Thompson has been tremendous in his first season as a Capital, yet to lose a game (7-0-0), posting a solid 2.55 GAA and .910 SV%. The Capitals own a +19 goal differential through 14 games this season (10-4-0) and enter Wednesday's contest as -135 home favorites against a Toronto Maple Leafs club defeated 3-0 last night by the Ottawa Senators.

With Michael Sgarbossa being reassigned to Hershey (AHL) and Lars Eller not expected to be ready to make his debut, Lapierre will likely re-enter the lineup on Wednesday. Lapierre is yet to score a goal but does have two assists in 11 games this season.

Milano played the last two games for the Capitals but will miss some time due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Milano has been limited to only three games this season, averaging 7:13 time-on-ice and scoring zero points. Jakub Vrana will draw back into the Capitals' lineup as Milano's replacement.