Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath will dress for just his second game of the 2023-24 campaign on Monday night.
The rugged rearguard will jump right into the team’s lineup after being recalled on Sunday morning. McIlrath will replace Nick Jensen on the right side of the Capitals’ defense after Jensen was injured after a scary hit against the Tampa Bay Lightning and ruled out of the final two games of the regular season.
“[McIlrath’s] been up here, played a game for us earlier this year,” Carbery said Sunday. “I think from opponents’ type of games that we’re going to be playing in, I think he makes a lot of sense. I think from a leadership experience standpoint, coming into these situations and not being overwhelmed by the moment, I think he fits the bill, as well.”
The test against Boston is yet another must-win for the Capitals if they want to make the playoffs. McIlrath won’t be unprepared for the pressure as he has played in an NHL playoff game and captained the Hershey Bears to the 2023 Calder Cup last year. He has nine points (3g, 6a) in 58 games for the Bears this season.
“It’s exciting,” McIlrath said Sunday. “Kind of what you dream of as a kid, playing in these big, important games. Whatever my role is – I’m going to enjoy it all. It’s been a long journey, definitely have a lot of experience.”
One skate at a time#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/cqJdOPkziE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2024
RMNB’s projected lines
Being without Jensen for the final 40 minutes on Saturday night further the Capitals issues on the backend as the team is already without Rasmus Sandin and Ethan Bear. Spencer Carbery leaned heavily on his top defense pairing, giving Martin Fehervary a career-high 27:06 of ice time and John Carlson a team-high 27:25.
Alex Alexeyev (21:42) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (21:28) also skated over 21 minutes. TVR will slide over to the left side of one of the pairings on Monday night to accommodate McIlrath’s arrival (right-handed).
“Things will shuffle around without a doubt,” Carbery said Monday. “Minutes-wise, it’ll increase like you saw last game. Marty’s going to play a little bit more, Al will play a little bit more, Riemer will play a little bit more. John will probably hold firm what he’s been playing minute allocation-wise all season long. Those guys are going to have to share a little bit of the load. Vinny Iorio will play probably a little bit more than he has the last half dozen games or so. It’ll be a shared responsibility. Won’t be shouldered by one guy.”
Lucas Johansen is slated to be the lone healthy scratch on the backend. He’ll again join Ivan Miroshnichenko and Mike Sgarbossa in the press box.
Charlie Lindgren will be the starting goaltender, making his fifth start in a row and seventh in April overall. Lindgren pitched an 18-save shutout against the Bruins on February 10.
The Bruins come into Monday night after handing the Pittsburgh Penguins a regulation loss that allowed the Capitals to vault over the Penguins into the second wild card spot. The Capitals lost to Boston in a shootout 3-2 in their last matchup and are 1-0-1 against them overall this season.
