Milano will be scratched Saturday vs. the Wild.
Washington Capitals News
Milano is expected to draw into the Ducks lineup on Thursday.
Milano was recalled from the AHL on Tuesday and will draw into the Ducks lineup on Thursday. Milano is expected to replace Max Comtois on a line with Ryan Getzlaf.
Line Change
Strome will be back in the Blackhawks lineup on Thursday.
Strome has been a healthy scratch for the first four games of the season but will replace Philipp Kurashev in the lineup on Thursday. Strome had nine goals and eight assists (17 points) in 40 games last season.
The Panthers recalled Chase Priskie from Charlotte (AHL).
It's unclear what the plan for Priskie is, a Panthers' regular must be banged up. Priskie has one assist in two AHL games so far this season and if he ends up playing Thursday, it will be his NHL debut.
Lapierre is expected to be a healthy scratch on Tuesday.
McMichael will make his season debut on Tuesday.
Backstrom (hip) has resumed skating but there is still no timetable for his return.
Backstrom has begun skating but head coach Peter Laviolette said that he is in the "beginning" of the rehab process, suggesting that he is still far from a season debut. Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre are expected to continue to fill the hole left by Backstrom's injury.
Ovechkin (lower-body) is on the ice for warmups and is expected to play Wednesday.
Line Change
Strome will be a healthy scratch in the Blackhawks season opener.
Strome’s 2021-22 season will get off to a tough start, as he fell down the depth chart in training camp and will be a healthy scratch in Colorado.
Lapierre is expected to make his NHL debut on Wednesday.
Lapierre was selected No.22 overall in the 2020 draft and cracked the Capitals lineup out of training camp with Nicklas Backstrom (hip) sidelined. Lapierre had eight goals and 23 assists (31 points) in 21 QMJHL goals last season and picked up five assists in four preseason games. Lapierre will start his NHL career as the Capitals third-line centre, with T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary on his wings.
Ovechkin (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
Ovechkin has been dealing with a minor lower-body injury but was on the ice for Wednesday’s morning skate and it appears he will be available for the Capitals’ season opener. However, Ovechkin told reporters he did not know if he was playing tonight, so consider him a game-time decision.
The Capitals have placed Nicklas Backstrom (hip) on LTIR.
The Capitals did not provide much clarity on the severity of Backstrom's injury during the preseason but announced on Tuesday that he will be moved to LTIR. The move will keep him out for at least 10 games or 24 days. Hendrix Lapierre appears to be the front runner to replace him down the middle to open the season.
Ovechkin (lower-body) is questionable for the Capitals' season opener on Wednesday.
The Capitals have signed Vincent Iorio to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Capitals do not have a timetable for Backstrom's return from a hip injury.
At this time, surgery is not on the table but the Capitals are still unsure when they will get Backstrom back on the ice. With the veteran centre out, Hendrix Lapierre and Connor McMichael have been impressing in training camp and one or both of them could make the team to start the regular season.
Backstrom (hip) is week-to-week and will miss the start of training camp.
Backstrom will miss the start of training camp as he continues to rehab a lingering hip injury that he battled in 2021. The fact that he will miss the start of training camp is not a great sign but he has not been ruled out for the start of the regular season yet.
The Islanders have re-signed Anthony Beauvillier to a three-year, $12.45 contract.
The Flames have re-signed Luke Philp to a one-year, two-way contract.
The Panthers have re-signed Chase Priskie to a one-year, two-way contract.
The Capitals have signed Michael Vecchione to a one-year, two-way contract.
