Washington Capitals News

Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) will make his return to the Capitals lineup on Tuesday after not dressing for their previous two games but will serve as the backup, likely to Lindgren, who has started two of their last four contests. Lindgren has been dynamite in those two starts, saving 58 of 61 shots (.951 SV%), leading the Capitals to victories in both. The Capitals have points in three of their last four games (3-0-1) but are +137 road underdogs against the top team in the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights.

It appears 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).

Fehervary has two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season and is among the league leaders with 29 hits. The Slovak defenceman has primarily skated alongside John Carlson this season, a spot that was occupied last game by Lucas Johansen.

Lindgren last played on November 4th, saving an impressive 34 of 35 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets and will start again on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Partially due to injuries, Lindgren has been limited to only two appearances this season (1-1-0), posting a 2.51 GAA and .929 SV%. The Capitals and Lindgren will have their work cut out for them against a Devils team that ranks fourth-best in the league offensively (3.67 GF / GP) but will once again be without one of the league's best scorers, Jack Hughes.

Lindgren last played on November 4th, saving an impressive 34 of 35 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets and is expected to start again on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Partially due to injuries, Lindgren has been limited to only two appearances this season (1-1-0), posting a 2.51 GAA and .929 SV%. The Capitals and Lindgren will have their work cut out for them against a Devils team that ranks fourth-best in the league offensively (3.67 GF / GP) but will once again be without one of the league's best scorers, Jack Hughes.

28-year-old Hunter Shepard played his first career NHL game earlier this season, saving 18 of 22 shots in a 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. It is unclear if his call-up is due to a potential injury for Darcy Kuemper or Charlie Lindgren, but if either of them is unable to dress for the Capitals, expect Shepard to serve as the teams' backup goalie.

van Riemsdyk missed the Capitals' game Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve Thursday. The 32-year-old has struggled out of the gate thus far in 2023-24, with no goals, an assist, 11 SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 10 games played.

Mangiapane will return to the Flames lineup on Friday after serving a one-game suspension for cross-checking Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann. Look for Mangiapane to slot back onto the top line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Lindholm. Mangiapane has seven points (4G / 3A) in 11 games while averaging 15:12 time-on-ice per game.

Haman Aktell will replace the injured Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower-body). The 25-year-old rookie has registered no goals, one assist, three blocked shots, and four hits through three games with the Capitals this season.

van Riemsdyk played only 1:34 time-on-ice before exiting the Capitals' Saturday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Van Riemsdyk did not practice on Monday but was upgraded to a game-time decision after participating in the team's morning skate on Wednesday. Through 10 games, Van Riemsdyk is averaging 17:35 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A).

Van Riemsdyk played only 1:34 time-on-ice before exiting the Capitals' Saturday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Van Riemsdyk did not practice on Monday but has been upgraded to a game-time decision after participating in the team's morning skate on Wednesday. Through 10 games, Van Riemsdyk is averaging 17:35 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A).

Last week, Backstrom announced he would "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health and has now been placed on the LTIR. 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.

With Nicklas Backstrom being placed on the long-term injured reserve and Evgeny Kuznetsov out due to illness, the Capitals have recalled journeyman Michael Sgarbossa from the Hershey Bears of the AHL. In 11 games with the Bears this season, Sgarbossa has 12 points (3G / 9A). Dating back to the 2012-13 season, Sgarbossa has 65 NHL games under his belt, registering 16 points (4G / 12A).

Last week, Backstrom announced he would "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.

Van Riemsdyk played only 1:34 time-on-ice before exiting the Capitals' Saturday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Van Riemsdyk will be re-evaluated and will not be a participant at practice on Monday. Through 10 games, Van Riemsdyk is averaging 17:35 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A).