Washington Capitals News

Wilson has yet to play in 2022-23 due to off-season ACL surgery but is very close to returning as he is skating with the Capitals at practice. The 28-year-old has 115 goals, 158 assists, and 1211 PIMs through 647 career NHL games played and will make an immediate physical impact upon his long-awaited return to the lineup.

Vrana has not played since Oct. 15th due to personal reasons and will now head to Grand Rapids (AHL) for a three-game conditioning stint. The 26-year-old had a goal, two points and five SOG in his short two-game stint prior to stepping away from the team.

With the injury news to John Carlson, Alexeyev will draw back into Washington's line Tuesday. He last played on Dec. 9th, and has one assist, three SOG and a -1 plus/minus in five games this season.

Carlson was taken to the hospital for "precautionary" reasons and was later discharged but the Capitals announced that the blueliner in out indefinitely. Erik Gustafsson will continue to play a large role at 5v5 and on the top power-play unit in Carlson's absence.

Lindgren allowed three goals on 19 shots (.842 SV%) and picked up his seventh victory in eight starts as he beat Detroit in his last start. The 29-year-old is one of the hottest goalies as of late, with his 9-4-2 record, 2.71 GAA and .910 SV%. He will face the Winnipeg Jets, who lost their last game 3-2 to Boston but rank ninth in the NHL in goals per game (3.38).

Thompson stopped 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) for his second win in three starts as he beat Arizona in his previous game. The rookie netminder has been incredibly solid this season, with his 15-8-0 record, 2.61 GAA and .917 SV%. He will face the St. Louis Blues, who lost their last game 5-2 to Seattle and are 27th in the NHL in shots per game (29.4).

Dowd was a game-time decision due to a non-covid illness but will be back in the lineup Thursday. The 32-year-old has seven goals, six assists, 18 PIMs and is a +6 plus/minus through 33 games prior to the illness.

Sandin left the Maple Leafs' previous contest vs. Tampa Bay after just 10 shifts and 8:30 TOI and has been placed on the injured reserve. It is a tough break for the 22-year-old, who had been enjoying a breakout season with two goals, 12 assists, 33 SOG, 15 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 33 games.

Oshie missed the Capitals' previous game due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day as he will miss Washingtons' next two games. The 35-year-old has five goals, six assists, 47 SOG and a -6 plus/minus through 22 games prior to his injury.

Sandin left the Maple Leafs' previous contest vs. Tampa Bay after just 10 shifts and 8:30 TOI and is considered day-to-day after missing practice Wednesday. It is a tough break for the 22-year-old, who had been enjoying a breakout season with two goals, 12 assists, 33 SOG, 15 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 33 games.

Wilson has not played in 2022-23 as he has been recovering from ACL surgery but seems to be close to returning after he was caught in a full-contact jersey for the first time this season at practice Wednesday. Wilson had the best season of his career in 2021-22, with 24 goals, 52 points, 98 PIMs, 151 SOG and a +13 plus/minus while playing in 78 games.

Dowd missed the Capitals' previous game due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Monday vs. Detroit. The 32-year-old has five goals, five assists, 18 PIMs and is a +4 plus/minus through 32 games prior to the injury.

Lindgren stopped 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) for his sixth win in seven starts as he defeated Toronto his previous time out. The 29-year-old has been incredibly solid as a fill in for Darcy Kuemper, with a 8-4-2 record, 2.70 GAA and .913 SV%. He will take on the Detroit Red Wings, who are in the middle of a five game losing skid after a loss to Ottawa in their last game.

Dowd was scratched ahead of Saturday's game vs. Toronto and is listed day-to-day. Consider Dowd questionable to play Monday vs. the Red Wings--expect Nicolas Aube-Kubel to remain in the lineup if Dowd can't play.