Thompson has won four of his last five, allowing three or fewer goals in each and posting a stellar .924 SV%, continuing his excellent 2024-25 campaign. The 27-year-old netminder has a 2.38 GAA and .916 SV% in 18 games (14-2-2). The Capitals are coming off a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings and enter Tuesday's contest as -144 home favorites against a Boston Bruins club coming off a 4-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Ovechkin has been practicing in a full-contact jersey for the last week and could return to action on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 39-year-old Ovechkin was well on his way to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record (894) before his injury this season. He is 27 goals away, a feat that continues to be jeopardized with each game he misses.
McIlrath will fill in for Hendrix Lapierre, who is out with an undisclosed injury. It is set to be McIlrath's first NHL game since November 3rd. The 32-year-old blue-liner has no goals and two assists in ten games this season.
Lapierre was a surprise scratch, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Lapierre is yet to score a goal in 26 games this season.
The Capitals will turn to Lindgren between the pipes on Monday night against the Boston Bruins. Lindgren saved 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in his most recent outing. The 31-year-old netminder has a 2.59 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 games this season (10-6-0). The Capitals enter Monday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Bruins club with points in four straight (3-0-1).
The Capitals will turn to Lindgren between the pipes on Monday night against the Boston Bruins. Lindgren saved 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in his most recent outing. The 31-year-old netminder has a 2.59 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 games this season (10-6-0). The Capitals enter Monday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Bruins club with points in four straight (3-0-1).
The Capitals have lost consecutive regulation games for only the second time this season and will attempt to return to the win column on Friday with Lindgren between the pipes. Lindgren allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old Lindgren has a 2.69 GAA and .899 SV% in 15 games this season (9-6-0). The Capitals enter Friday's contest as +136 home underdogs against a Hurricanes club that defeated them 4-2 on November 3rd.
The Capitals have lost consecutive regulation games for only the second time this season and will attempt to return to the win column on Friday with Lindgren between the pipes. Lindgren allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old Lindgren has a 2.69 GAA and .899 SV% in 15 games this season (9-6-0). The Capitals enter Friday's contest as +136 home underdogs against a Hurricanes club that defeated them 4-2 on November 3rd.
Eller is battling an illness and will be shut down until after the Christmas break. The 35-year-old Eller has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 33 games this season, including six points (2G / 4A) in 16 games with the Capitals.
Ovechkin has skated with the team the last week and was finally upgraded to a full-contact jersey, but will remain out of the lineup for at least one more week. The 39-year-old Ovechkin was well on his way to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record (894) before his injury this season. He is 27 goals away, a feat that continues to be jeopardized with each game he misses.
Ovechkin has skated with the team the last week and was finally upgraded to a full-contact jersey, indicating his return to the lineup is likely on the horizon. The 39-year-old Ovechkin was well on his way to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record (894) before his injury this season. He is 27 goals away, a feat that continues to be jeopardized with each game he misses.
Lapierre will be the odd-man out on Tuesday to make room for the return of Andrew Mangiapane, who missed Monday's game in Dallas with an illness. Lapierre is yet to score a goal in 24 games this season.
