Washington Capitals News

Lindgren has been sidelined for the last week due to an upper-body injury, but should return to the lineup, at least in a backup role, on the teams upcoming two-game road trip. The 31-year-old Lindgren has a 2.90 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 appearances this season (5-3-1).

Tuch was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Sabres not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Trevor Kuntar will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut in place of Tuch.

McIlrath will take a seat on Thursday in order to make way for the return of John Carlson. McIlrath has appeared in four games this season and is yet to register a point.

The Capitals have skyrocketed to the top of the Eastern Conference, 8-1-1 in their last 10, and will roll with Thompson on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Thompson has been outstanding lately and is coming off an impressive 39-save performance in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets for his second shutout of the season. He has a 1.96 GAA and .925 SV% in 21 games this season (13-6-2). Still, the Capitals enter Thursday's contest as slight +102 home underdogs against a Hurricanes team they defeated 4-1 last month.

Leonard has already missed one game due to an upper-body injury and is expected to be sidelined for nearly a month. The 21-year-old rookie was starting to come into his own before his injury, scoring 10 points (4G / 6A) in his last nine games.

Jenner has not played since November 11th, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 32-year-old Jenner has 30 hits and 10 points (3G / 7A) in 16 games this season. Jenner, usually an effective contributor when healthy, has battled injuries in recent years, playing fewer than 60 games in all but one of his last five seasons. Luca Del Bel Belluz will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Jenner's return.

Dunne will slot in for Josh Norris, who was a late scratch on Tuesday. Dunne will skate alongside Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn on Buffalo's fourth line.

Liljegren is battling a lower-body injury but will be available for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Liljegren is averaging a career-high 20:08 time-on-ice, recording four assists, 52 blocks, and a -8 plus/minus in 24 games this season.

Kyrou played just 53 seconds before leaving Saturday's game with a lower-body injury that he sustained hit from Stephen Halliday. Post-game, Blues' head coach Jim Montgomery said that Kyrou needs an MRI for a full diagnosis. It's unclear what the MRI revealed, but Kyrou will be sidelined week-to-week. The 27-year-old forward had 16 points (8G / 8A) and a -9 plus/minus in 28 games before his injury.

Liljegren is battling a lower-body injury and his status for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers in uncertain. The 26-year-old Liljegren is averaging a career-high 20:08 time-on-ice, recording four assists, 52 blocks, and a -8 plus/minus in 24 games this season.

With Charlie Lindgren on Injured Reserve, Stevenson served as Logan Thompson's back up on Sunday, but he has been reassigned to the AHL, with Garin Bjorklund being recalled in a corresponding move. The 26-year-old Stevenson made his NHL debut last season, playing three games with Washington. He has a 2.54 GAA and .913 SV% in 11 games this season (7-4-0) with the Hershey Bears (AHL).