Yahoo Sports Capitals vs. Sabres Preview: Line Combinations, Stats, Storylines To Watch
WASHINGTON — After getting the job done in Columbus to keep their record road winning streak going, the Washington Capitals are back home and looking to improve on their record in D.C. as they play host to the struggling Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
Washington Capitals Line Combinations
The Capitals aren't making any changes to their lineup, but Logan Thompson will get the start in net as Washington continues to alternate between their 1A/1B tandem.
Here are the projected combinations:
Connor McMichael-Dylan Strome-Taylor Raddysh
Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson
Hendrix Lapierre-Lars Eller-Andrew Mangiapane
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Ivan Miroshnichenko
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
Injured: Alex Ovechkin (broken left fibula), Sonny Milano (upper-body), Nicklas Backstrom (hip), T.J. Oshie (back)
Washington Capitals Stats
- Pierre-Luc Dubois is on a three-game point and assist streak and continues to make a name for himself in D.C.
- Aliaksei Protas is coming off a two-goal performance and is on pace for 32 goals this season, and he also has points in three straight outings with five points in that span. He's found the scoresheet in five of the last seven overall.
Washington Capitals Storylines
- Dylan Strome enjoyed some success against the Sabres last season and is on pace for 105 points this year. Look for him to be eager to get on the scoresheet, as he has points in back-to-back games.
- Jakob Chychrun continues to rack up assists and play a key role as an offensive catalyst. Watch for him to be an impact player once again on Saturday.
- Tom Wilson and Jordan Greenway dropped the gloves last season. Wilson's recovering from a broken sinus bone in his left cheek and Greenway is a game-time decision, but still, no love lost between those two.
- Buffalo has dropped eight straight contests, but D.C. will have to be careful to avoid a trap game, especially with Tage Thompson and company always posing a threat.
- It marks the first time that Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aube-Kubel will return to Capital One Arena since departing Washington this offseason. Malesntyn was traded to Buffalo to move up and select Cole Hutson in the 2024 NHL Draft, while Aube-Kubel signed with the Sabres in free agency.
