Capitals Notebook: Mangiapane Filling In On Top Line, Ovechkin Still Around & 'In Good Spirits,' Lapierre Slots Back In As Thompson Starts

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals will make some tweaks to their lineup on Thursday as they take on the Colorado Avalanche and begin what figures to be a lengthy span without captain Alex Ovechkin.

Head coach Spencer Carbery didn't have any additional update on Ovechkin, who is week-to-week with a lower leg injury, but the 39-year-old has been around the facility.

"Vibes are still good," Tom Wilson told The Hockey News, adding, "He's in good spirits, saying he's going to be back in no time."

With Ovechkin out, Andrew Mangiapane will take his spot on the top line left wing to work with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.

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In turn, Hendrix Lapierre will draw back into the lineup and slot into Mangiapane's spot alongside Lars Eller and Jakub Vrana. Ivan Miroshnichenko will be a healthy scratch, with head coach Spencer Carbery wanting Lapierre to get his first crack at helping fill the void.

"Just felt like it's a more natural decision to let Miro in the lineup, play the wing, that's where plays, right shot, but Lappy's been here all year long," Carbery said. "He's been working and watching games from a wing perspective, knowing that this opportunity may come... So feel like he's a good fit for the first game here, give him and opportunity to go in the lineup on the wing and play some power play and get him out there and see if he can be productive."

Logan Thompson, meanwhile, will get the start against the Avalanche. He is 9-0-1 this season.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.