The Washington Capitals announced their roster for Friday night’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Arena. After taking down the New Jersey Devils 5-3 on Wednesday night, Spencer Carbery is sticking with another mixed group of players, including every forward assumed to be involved in the battle for the team’s last roster spots.
That group includes Jakub Vrana, Mike Sgarbossa, Andrew Cristall, Ethen Frank, Henrik Rybinski, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Pierrick Dubé. The game may be their final chance to impress as Carbery plans to use the final two preseason games as dress rehearsals for Washington’s opening night matchup with the Devils on October 12.
Cristall is the lone player in the group with more than one point during the preseason. The 19-year-old scored a goal in each of his previous outings.
Back home tomorrow night for our fourth preseason tilt. #CapsJackets | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/kLg3exwp9a
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 26, 2024
Alex Ovechkin will also play in his second straight game despite taking a maintenance day on Thursday. The Great Eight combined well with Dylan Strome and Andrew Mangiapane against the Devils, helping Strome score two goals in the contest. The three will combine again as they fine-tune their chemistry.
Charlie Lindgren will dress for the first time this preseason, as Logan Thompson, Hunter Shepard, and Clay Stevenson previously handled netminding duties. Lindgren, the team’s presumed number one, will be backed up by Stevenson.
Carbery will also get a second look at Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson together, which is shaping up to be the team’s top pairing. The two offensive blueliners combined for two points (1g, 1a), six shots on goal, 12 individual shot attempts, and four individual scoring chances against New Jersey.
Outside of Lindgren, the only other player on the roster looking to make their preseason debut is defenseman Nick Leivermann. Leivermann signed an extension with the Hershey Bears this past summer after filling in admirably during the Calder Cup Finals when an injury crisis hit the Bears on the backend.
The Blue Jackets announced their roster for the game, which will also feature a mix of NHL and minor league talent.
First look at who’s taking the ice in Washington tomorrow ⭐️
📝 https://t.co/tFQ31XhRQD@OhioHealth | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/orZqAAHvuc
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 26, 2024
Friday night’s game will be televised on Monumental Sports Network, with puck drop set for 7 pm.
All Capitals players not involved in the game will practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex after the game group’s morning skate on Tuesday. Washington will then have Saturday off.
