Washington Capitals News

Thompson will look to continue his undefeated season (4-0-0) as he appears to be the starter for the Golden Knights on Thursday night. Adin Hill has had the slight favour in net, starting 60% of the teams' 10 games thus far but Thompson continues to be a reliable option when called upon and should continue to see a near-split workload the rest of the way. In his most recent contest, Thompson saved 36 of 39 shots in a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Thompson and the Golden Knights are -130 home favourites against the Winnipeg Jet, who are 4-3-2 on the season.

Backstrom has announced he will "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health. In 2022, Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the majority of the 2022-23 season. The 35-year-old Sweedish center iceman has played 1105 career games, all with the Washington Capitals, registering 1033 points (271G / 762A), but has only scored 22 points (7G / 15A) in 47 games since his surgery, a 0.47 point-per-game pace, down significantly from the 0.96 pace he had prior.

Lindgren was unable to dress for the Capitals' last six games because of an upper-body injury but is expected to return to backup duties on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks. In his only game this season, the Capitals season-opener, Lindgren allowed four goals on 35 shots in an eventual 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Shepard recently made his NHL debut with the Capitals, saving 18 of 22 shots in a 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. With Charlie Lindgren set to return from an upper-body injury, Shepard is being returned to the Bears (AHL), where he had a 2.88 GAA and .885 SV% in two games this season (2-0-0).

Sandin was a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Wild after exiting the Washington's Wednesday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils in the third period with an undisclosed injury. The Swedish defenseman has been held without a point in his first six games and has a -4 rating.

Sandin will be a game-time decision after exiting the Capitals' Wednesday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils in the third period with an undisclosed injury. The Swedish defenseman has been held without a point in his first six games and has a -4 plus/minus rating.

Thompson will get his third start this season as the Vegas Golden Knights look to continue their season-opening six-game winning streak. In two games (2-0-0), Thompson has posted a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV% behind a Golden Knights defence that currently ranks fourth-best in the league (1.83 GA/GP). The Golden Knights are -198 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has outscored opponents 16-13 early this season (3-1-1).

Thompson will likely get his third start this season as the Vegas Golden Knights look to continue their season-opening six-game winning streak. In two games (2-0-0), Thompson has posted a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV% behind a Golden Knights defence that currently ranks fourth-best in the league (1.83 GA/GP). The Golden Knights are -198 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has outscored opponents 16-13 early this season (3-1-1).

Shepard is a 27-year-old career AHLer, who has gone 2-0-0 while allowing six goals on 52 shots (.885 SV%) in his first two starts with Hershey this season. Shepard impressed in a 33-game stint with the Bears last season, posting a .916 SV% and a 2.18 GAA to go along with a 20-8-5 record. He draws a difficult matchup in his NHL debut with the Capitals being +205 road underdogs in New Jersey.

Stevenson has been serving as Darcy Kuemper's backup, with Charlie Lindgren sidelined with an injury. Hunter Shepard will replace him in that role on Tuesday. Stevenson has gone 4-1-0 while allowing 10 goals on 119 shots (.916 SV%) in five career AHL games.

Shepard is a 27-year-old career AHLer, who has gone 2-0-0 while allowing six goals on 52 shots (.885 SV%) in his first two starts with Hershey this season. He replaces Clay Stevenson on the Capitals' roster and figures to serve as Darcy Kuemper's backup vs. the Maple Leafs.

Thompson will start for the Golden Knights on Thursday after serving as backup to Adin Hill for three of their four first games (4-0-0). This could be an indication of Thompson's usage going forward, as the Golden Knights seem content with giving their $4.9 million goalie, Hill, the priority in the crease. The defending Stanely Cup Champions have been stout defensively regardless of who has manned their net, outscoring their opposition by a lopsided 14-5 margin. In his only game this season, Thompson saved 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights enter action tonight as -111 road favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been abysmal defensively, allowing a league-worst 4.67 goals per game.

Lindgren left Monday's morning skate with an undisclosed injury and did not suit up against Calgary that night which has led to him being placed on the injured reserve. The 29-year-old has only started one game this season and is 0-1-0 with a .886 SV% and a 4.00 GAA. Clay Stevenson was recalled in his absence.

Aktell had a goal, and was a -1 plus/minus in two games with Hershey (AHL) and has been recalled to Washington for the first time in his career. The 25-year-old Swede was drafted by Nashville in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (108th overall) but he only crossed the border to North American this season after three years in the SHL. Aktell has a chance to make his NHL debut Saturday.

Thompson will likely start for the Golden Knights on Thursday after serving as backup to Adin Hill for three of their four first games (4-0-0). This could be an indication of Thompson's usage going forward, as the Golden Knights seem content with giving their $4.9 million goalie, Hill, the priority in the crease. The defending Stanely Cup Champions have been stout defensively regardless of who has manned their net, outscoring their opposition by a lopsided 14-5 margin. In his only game this season, Thompson saved 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights enter action tonight as -111 road favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been abysmal defensively, allowing a league-worst 4.67 goals per game.

No further details have been given in terms of the nature or the expected timeline of the injury, but the Capitals will miss the depth scoring and adept penalty-killing Dowd provides. The 33-year-old centreman tallied 13 goals and 12 assists in 65 games for the Capitals last season, and has managed to score double-digit goals in three straight seasons despite being limited to a fourth-line role. Anthony Mantha will draw back into the lineup in place of Dowd.