The Washington Capitals’ newest acquisition, Brenden Dillon, participated in his first practice with the team, Thursday morning.

Dillon, who joined the Capitals from the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, was matched on the first pairing with John Carlson. The 29-year-old pivot will make his Capitals debut tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Jonas Siegenthaler was the odd D-man out.

So the #Caps D pairs look like:
Dillon-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Kempny-Gudas
Siegenthaler (out)

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 20, 2020

“It was great,” Dillon said of being matched with Carlson. “I’m really just excited for tonight just to get out here and play hockey.”

Brenden Dillon's (@BDillon04) first media availability after arriving in the Washington. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/a1eg4XhZCQ

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 20, 2020

Nick Jensen will skate with Dmitry Orlov while Michal Kempny was bumped down to the third pairing with Radko Gudas. Peter wrote earlier in the day that Kempny was the best candidate to lose ice time. The Czech defenseman’s numbers this season suggest he may not be back to his top form after suffering a torn hamstring last season.

“We’re really excited to add a piece like Brenden to our team with how he goes about every day in terms of on the ice play,” Todd Reirden said after practice on Wednesday. “He’s physical, not fun to play against, hard around the front of the net, can play against other teams’ top players, and then off the ice he’s a guy that’s a strong leader that has a big, positive personality, and great shape.”

“He’s a guy that has to play in our top four,” Reirden added. “I think we’re going to end up moving him around a little bit until he gets into the swing of things.”

Headline photo: Miranda Rosenfelt/RMNB