Nic Dowd jumped on the ice for the Washington Capitals’ morning skate on Saturday ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 35-year-old center has missed the team’s last two games with an upper-body injury. While Dowd skated in a regular practice jersey, head coach Spencer Carbery still ruled the veteran pivot out day-to-day and confirmed that Dowd won’t be in the lineup against the Lightning on Saturday night.
“Yeah, back skating today, so we’ll call him day-to-day,” Carbery said. “He is not playing tonight.”
In 19 games this season, Dowd has recorded five points (1g, 4a). He has averaged 15:07 of ice time per game, with 2:42 of that coming on the penalty kill.
With Dowd out of action, Connor McMichael has moved back to center and played between Brandon Duhaime and Ryan Leonard for two games. Sonny Milano, who scored two goals against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, will play in a third straight game.
Dylan McIlrath joined Dowd and Declan Chisholm on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex for extra work after the skate, so it appears Trevor van Riemsdyk will draw back in on the backend for his 700th career NHL game. The only other lineup change will see Logan Thompson retake the crease from Charlie Lindgren.
Capitals projected 11/22 lineup against Lightning
Saturday night’s game will be the last between the Capitals and Lightning this season, concluding the two teams’ three-game series for the year before Thanksgiving. The Caps won the first game (October 14) on home ice 3-2 in overtime, while the Lightning took the second 3-2 in regulation (November 9) in Florida.
The Capitals have won their last three games and collected at least one point in their previous four games. The Lightning have won two in a row, last beating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in overtime on Thursday night.
