Smallman has yet to play an NHL game but has become an effective contributor at the AHL level for several seasons. The 28-year-old forward has 33 points (9G / 24A) in 55 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season.
Leonard was the eight-overall pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The talented 20-year-old forward playing collegiate hockey with Boston University (H-East) the previous two seasons, including scoring 49 points (30G / 19A) in 37 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
Leonard was the eight-overall pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The talented 20-year-old forward playing collegiate hockey with Boston University (H-East) the previous two seasons, including scoring 49 points (30G / 19A) in 37 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
Gucciardi was a seventh-round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft that opted to played collegiate hockey the past few seasons. The 22-year-old defenseman scored 16 points (6G / 10A) in 37 games with Michigan State University (Big-10) this season.
Dunne is an undrafted 26-year-old forward that played two games with the Sabres this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. He has 26 points (9G / 17A) in 58 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL).
Dunne will slot in for Jason Zucker, who is out due to a personal matter. Dunne has appeared in just one other game for the Sabres this season and is yet to register a point through 15 career NHL games.
Lindgren has not played since March 20th and will return to the crease on Thursday against his hometown team, the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old Lindgren was solid in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. He has a 2.63 GAA and .898 SV% in 31 appearances this season (16-11-3). The Capitals enter the action on Thursday as -140 road favorites against a Minnesota team outscored 8-1 during a two-game losing skid.
Jason Zucker (personal) will not play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing Dunne to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Dunne has only played one game with the Sabres this season, recording a -2 plus/minus in 7:16 time-on-ice.
McIlrath has played 11 games with the Capitals this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A). The 32-year-old has nine points (3G / 6A) in 86 career games in the NHL.
Dunne is an undrafted 26-year-old forward that played one game with the Sabres earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. He has 26 points (9G / 17A) in 58 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL).
Kopff is an undrafted 21-year-old forward that has spent the previous two seasons playing collegiate hockey for Brown University (ECAC). He scored 28 points (9G / 19A) in 32 games with Brown University this season.
In a battle between the top two teams in the league, the Capitals will have Thompson tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Thompson was solid in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers. He has a 2.30 GAA and .917 SV% in 40 games this season (31-4-5). The Capitals enter Tuesday's contest as +134 road underdogs against a Jets squad that defeated them 5-4 in overtime on February 1st.
Chychrun exited Saturday's 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers after 16:25 time-on-ice due to a wrist injury but will likely be available for Tuesday's contest against the Winnipeg Jets. The 26-year-old Chychrun is averaging 20:56 time-on-ice and has 43 points (18G / 25A) in 65 games this season.
MacDonald has 27 points (10G / 17A) in 135 career NHL games, but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL. The 32-year-old defenseman has an impressive 50 points (27G / 23A) in 55 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.
