Yahoo Sports Capitals vs. Maple Leafs Preview: Line Combinations, Stats, Storylines To Watch As Ovechkin Returns From Broken Leg
There couldn't be a more perfect time for Alex Ovechkin to make his return to the lineup, as the captain is set to return from a broken leg as the Washington Capitals visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at Scotiabank Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals will see their lines revert to what they were earlier in the year as Alex Ovechkin draws back in after 16 games, the longest absence of his career.
Ovechkin will play on the top line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas. Meanwhile, Lars Eller remains out with an illness, meaning that Hendrix Lapierre will remain in the lineup at center. Ivan Miroshnichenko is the healthy scratch up front.
Logan Thompson will start in net.
Here are the lines:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas
Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana-Hendrix Lapierre-Andrew Mangiapane
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
- Pierre-Luc Dubois is riding a four-game point streak and leads the Capitals in scoring since Nov. 21, which marked Alex Ovechkin's first game out of the lineup.
- Jakub Vrana has scored in three straight outings while also picking up points in each of the last four games.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Alex Ovechkin will make his long-awaited return from a fractured left fibula in style, as he faces one of the teams he loves playing most. Ovechkin has 44 career goals all-time against the Maple Leafs, with 30 of those coming in Toronto. At the time of his injury, he led the league with 15 goals through 18 games.
- Look for Dylan Strome to find a spark with Ovechkin back in the mix and Aliaksei Protas back on his wing. He's gone without a point in four straight games, the longest stretch of the season, but still leads Washington in scoring.
- Watch for Hendrix Lapierre to try to make noise as he fills in for Lars Eller. When Eller comes back, Washington will have to make a corresponding roster move to open a spot, and it'll likely come down to either Lapierre or Ivan Miroshnichenko heading to the Hershey Bears.
