Dowd (COVID-19 protocol) will not play on Saturday.
Dowd was moved to the COVID-19 protocol list on Friday and will not play on Saturday. With Dowd out, Lars Eller may centre the Capitals' checking line with Carl Hagelin and Garnet Hathaway.
Washington Capitals News
van Riemsdyk has been added to the COVID-19 protocol list.
van Riemsdyk will not play Saturday after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list after the morning skate. Matt Irwin will make his season debut with van Riemsdyk out.
Bear (COVID-19) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.
Bear was in COVID-19 protocol and missed the last six games. He took regular reps in Friday's practice but remains a game-time decision for Saturday's game vs. the Sabres.
The Blues have recalled Charlie Lindgren from Springfield (AHL).
Jordan Binnington was added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list, so Lindgren will join the Blues in Tampa and is expected to serve as Ville Husso's backup.
Eller (COVID-19) will return to the Capitals lineup on Sunday.
The Capitals are hopeful that Lars Eller (COVID-19) will return to the lineup on Sunday.
Eller has been out since November 14th but was back at practice on Saturday and should be back in the lineup on Sunday. Eller has scored one goal with seven assists (eight points) in 15 games this season.
Line Change
Strome will be a healthy scratch on Friday.
The Capitals have recalled Michael Sgarbossa from Hershey (AHL).
The Capitals sent Axel Jonsson Fjällby to the AHL yesterday to preserve his waiver exempt status, so Sgarbossa and Beck Malenstyn come up to help replace T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary. Sgarbossa is leading Hershey in goals (8) and points (14) through 15 games this season.
Bear is not on the ice for warmups; will not play in San Jose.
Oshie is day-to-day with a lower-body injury; will not play Sunday.
Beauvillier (COVID-19) had a false positive and will return to the Islanders lineup on Sunday.
Borgstrom will draw into the Blackhawks lineup on Sunday.
The Islanders have added Anthony Beauvillier to the COVID-19 protocol list.
Dowd (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.
Dowd has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Dowd is officially a game-time decision but expect him to slot back in on the fourth line.
Oshie (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.
Oshie has been out since October 27th but participated in Friday's practice and Saturday's morning skate. Both are great signs that he'll be available in San Jose, however, he remains listed as a game-time decision.
Oshie (lower-body) could return to the Capitals lineup on Saturday.
Oshie, who has been out since October 27th, was on the ice for Friday's practice and head coach Peter Laviolette said he is a "possibility" after being a full-go in the session. Oshie was back on the top power-play unit, which is a good sign that he'll be back in the lineup in San Jose.
Eller has been added to the COVID-19 reserve list and will not play on Tuesday.
Eller (undisclosed) is questionable to play Tuesday in Anaheim.
Eller travelled to Anaheim but was not on the ice for the morning skate and is questionable to play on Tuesday. If Eller is not available, expect Garrett Pilon to serve as the Capitals' third-line centre.
The Capitals have signed Nic Dowd to a three-year, $3.9 million ($1.3M AAV) contract extension.
Sandin will be a healthy scratch on Saturday.
