Lapierre will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Nicolas Aube-Kubel to re-enter the Capitals' lineup. Lapierre has three points (1G / 2A) in seven games this season, all of which came in the same game.
Lindgren will start for the fourth time in the last six games and attempt to rebound after allowing five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in a 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in his last outing. His most recent performance aside, Lindgren has been terrific this season, outperforming his counterpart Darcy Kuemper with a 2.51 GAA and .926 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Capitals rank second-worst in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP), so there is very little room for error for Lindgren, who will be put to the test tonight against the league's strongest offensive team, the Los Angeles Kings (4.00 GF / GP).
Thompson will return to the Golden Knights' crease on Tuesday after Adin Hill got the start in Calgary on Monday. Thompson last appeared in Saturday's game against the Coyotes, stopping 16 of the 17 shots he faced in the 2-0 defeat. The 26-year-old netminder has been stellar when called upon this season, owning a 5-3-1 record and a .922 SV%. He'll have his hands full tonight against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Thompson has backed up Adin Hill for the Golden Knights' previous two games but will take the crease back Saturday as they head host Arizona. The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to his 2023-24 season while splitting starts, with his 5-2-1 record, 2.48 GAA and .920 SV%. He will face the Arizona Coyotes, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are struggling to get pucks on net as they are 30th in the NHL in shots per game (27.7).
Thompson has backed up Adin Hill for the Golden Knights' previous two games but will take the crease back Saturday as they head host Arizona. The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to his 2023-24 season while splitting starts, with his 5-2-1 record, 2.48 GAA and .920 SV%. He will face the Arizona Coyotes, who is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and are struggling to get pucks on net as they are 30th in the NHL in shots per game (27.7).
Lindgren will start Friday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers. This comes after Darcy Kuemper was victorious on Wednesday, a sign that Spencer Carbery and the Capitals coaching staff recognize Lindgren's strong play and could continue to favour him down the stretch if they believe he gives them the best chance at victory. Lindgren has been sensational this season, boasting a 2.01 GAA and .940 SV% through five games (4-1-0). That said, the Capitals are +131 home underdogs against an Oilers team that, despite their struggles, is always a team threatening an offensive outburst.
Lindgren will go for his fourth-straight win Saturday after a perfect performance in his previous start as he shut out the Vegas Golden Knights on 35 saves. The 29-year-old has taken over the Capitals' crease of late, due to his impressive 3-1-0 record, .947 SV%, and 1.76 GAA. He will look to keep the win streak going as he takes on Columbus on Saturday, who are in the midst of a dreadful seven-game losing streak.
Haman Aktell had an assist, five SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in six games to begin his NHL career but has been reassigned to Hershey (AHL) on Friday. The 25-year-old defensemen returns to Hershey, where he had an goal and was a -1 plus/minus in two games prior to being called up.
Dubois left the game after colliding awkwardly with the post in Thursday's game against the Panthers and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. He has eight points (4G / 4A) in 15 games this season, playing most recently on the third line with Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Arthur Kaliyev.
Van Riemsdyk has been out of the lineup since November 4th with a lower-body injury. He has one point (0G / 1A) in 10 games, averaging 17:35 time-on-ice, primarily skating alongside Rasmus Sandin before his injury.
Thompson will start on Tuesday after serving as the backup for two consecutive games for the Golden Knights. Thompson has not played since November 5th, his longest stretch between games, when he allowed three goals on 22 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Through six games this season (5-1-0), Thompson has an impressive 2.31 GAA and .923 SV%. The league-leading Golden Knights (12-2-1) are -151 road favourites against the Washington Capitals (7-4-2), who rank 31st in the league offensively (2.31 GF / GP) despite collecting points in three of their last four games (3-0-1).
With Darcy Kumeper (undisclosed) returning to the Capitals' lineup Tuesday, Hunter Shepard finds himself the odd-man out and has been reassigned to Hershey (AHL). The 28-year-old goaltender performed incredibly well during his short showing with Washington, with his 2-0-0 record, .915 SV% and 2.50 GAA.
