Alex Ovechkin, who missed practice earlier in the week with a lower-body injury, is expected to play against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday night. Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette announced the news after the team’s optional morning skate.
The team, however, will have to go once again without Lars Eller. The third-line center will miss his fifth straight game due to a lower-body injury.
Ovechkin is expected to suit up tonight vs. NJD, per Laviolette. Eller, however, is out with a lower body injury. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) March 25, 2021
The Capitals’ lines from practice on Wednesday will likely be what we see against New Jersey.
Capitals at practice:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Vrana-Backstrom-Wilson
Sheary-Sgarbossa-Panik/Sprong
Hagelin-Dowd-HathawayDillon-Carlson
Orlov-Schmidt
Chara-Jensen
Siegenthaler-TvRSamsonov
Vanecek
Anderson— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 24, 2021
Meanwhile, Vitek Vanecek will get his 23rd start of the season in the front-end of the team’s back-to-back games. Vanecek has a 13-5-3 record with a 2.66 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
Head coach Peter Laviolette announces Vitek Vanecek will get the start tonight against New Jersey.#CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/2CYMcr4rbe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 25, 2021
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB
