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

The Washington Capitals are in for a tough matchup as they look to extend their record road winning streak to 12 games, as they'll take on the Dallas Stars in the first game of a Central Division back-to-back series.

Here's everything to know before puck drop at 8 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center.

Washington Capitals Line Combinations

The Capitals are making a couple of tweaks to their lineup, as Jakub Vrana will draw back in after 10 consecutive healthy scratches. Hendrix Lapierre will stay in, though, with Andrew Mangiapane out due to illness.

Charlie Lindgren will get the nod as the goalie rotation continues.

Here are the projected combinations:

Connor McMichael-Dylan Strome-Taylor Raddysh

Aliaksei Protas-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson

Hendrix Lapierre-Lars Eller-Jakub Vrana

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

- Dylan Strome has points in three straight games.

- Aliaksei Protas is also riding a three-game point streak.

Washington Capitals Storylines

- Be on the lookout for "Bubble Boy" Tom Wilson. The 30-year-old has seven goals in his last eight games, and three of the last seven outings have been multi-goal performances.

- Jakob Chychrun's making waves with his blistering shot and has points in four straight, while he's also on pace for 28 goals and 64 points. Watch for him to make an impact as well.

Related: Jakob Chychrun's Doing A Lot Right For The Capitals. But It's His Blistering Shot That's Truly Off The Charts

- Speaking of high-scoring defensemen, John Carlson had three primary assists last game and ranks third among defensemen in expected goals. Look out for him, as always.

- Connor McMichael's also getting back to his high-scoring ways with four points in his last four games. Watch for him to be dangerous as well.

- Ivan Miroshnichenko also impressed against Buffalo with a strong showing, and he's due to get on the scoresheet.