Washington Capitals News

Trineyev recently made his NHL debut, going without a point in two games with the Capitals. He returned to the AHL, where he has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 16 games with Hershey (AHL). Ivan Miroshnichenko has been recalled from Hershey in a corresponding move.

Miroshnichenko was drafted 20th overall by the Capitals in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL so far, scoring nine points (4G/5A) in 12 games. Bogdan Trineyev has been loaned to Hershey in a corresponding move.

Leonard is only two weeks into his initial three-to-four week recovery timeline and is seemingly slightly ahead of schedule, returning to practice on Friday. 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.

Trineyev will slot in for Hendrix Lapierre (undisclosed). He'll skate with Nic Dowd and Brandon Duhaime on Washington's fourth line.

The Capitals were atop the Eastern Conference one week ago, but after losing three straight (0-2-1), they find themselves in a Wild Card spot in an ultra-tight standings race. That said, Thompson has been outstanding for Washington this season, posting a 2.09 GAA and .922 SV% in 23 games (13-7-3). Better yet, he has a 1.90 GAA and .940 SV% in his last eight outings (5-1-2). The Capitals enter the action on Thursday as -150 home favorites against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that narrowly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in a 3-2 come-from-behind win on Tuesday to snap a two-game losing skid.

Sonny Milano will draw back into Washington's lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, resulting in Trineyev being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Trineyev made his NHL debut in Washington's most recent game, scoring zero points while playing 11:45 time-on-ice.

Lindgren returns to the Capitals' crease for only the second time in three weeks despite a solid performance in his previous outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. The 31-year-old Lindgren has been serviceable in a supporting role this season, but has been a distant second to starting netminder Logan Thompson, posting a 2.90 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games (5-3-1). The Capitals enter Tuesday's contest as +100 road underdogs against a Minnesota team that has outscored its opposition 18-7 during a four-game winning streak.

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.