Capitals vs. Bruins Preview: Line Combinations, Stats, Storylines To Watch

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals are back home to close out 2024, and they'll look to end the year on a high note as they take on the Boston Bruins.

Here's everything to know before puck drop at 12:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena.

Washington Capitals Line Combinations

Following their out-of-character loss back on Sunday, the Capitals are tweaking the lineup, with Ivan Miroshnichenko drawing in for Jakub Vrana, who will be a healthy scratch.

Logan Thompson gets the start in goal as the team continues to alternate between netminders.

Here are the projected line combinations:

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas

Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson

Andrew Mangiapane-Lars Eller-Ivan Miroshnichenko

Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh

Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson

Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy

Logan Thompson

Charlie Lindgren

Washington Capitals Stats

- Alex Ovechkin has goals in back-to-back games since returning from a broken leg and has scored in his last four outings dating back to Nov. 16. He has also scored in every game with the Screamin' Eagle jersey, which the team will wear on Tuesday.

- Nic Dowd has scored in back-to-back games.

- Jakob Chychrun has three points in his last two games and was the third NHL defenseman to hit 10 goals this season.

- Pierre-Luc Dubois has points in five of his last six outings and is the team's leading scorer through the month of December.

Washington Capitals Storylines

- Keep a close eye on the fourth line, especially Taylor Raddysh. He has assists in back-to-back games and has proven to be a key utility player for D.C. this season. With Nic Dowd rolling, look for that trio to convert again.

- Ivan Miroshnichenko will be back in the lineup after getting the chance to stay up in Washington over Hendrix Lapierre. Watch for him to show coach Spencer Carbery that was the right decision.