Capitals announce roster for first preseason game against Bruins

The Washington Capitals will open their preseason schedule Sunday evening against the Boston Bruins.

After three days of on-ice work at training camp, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery will get his first look at the group in game action as Washington travels to Boston for a 5 pm faceoff at TD Garden.

The Capitals’ lineup will feature a mix of established NHL veterans, recent draft picks, and AHL regulars. Captain Alex Ovechkin will not play.

Capitals roster

Forwards

Defense

Goaltender

Several of Washington’s major offseason acquisitions are set to make their Capitals debut, including Alex Tuch, Vincent Desharnais, and Boone Jenner. 

Many bubble players who are actively battling for the last forwards spots on the roster will also suit up, including Justin Holl, Josh Dunne, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Bogdan Trineyev.

Cole Hutson is also set to play his first preseason game after making his NHL debut last spring, while Logan Thompson and Mitch Gibson will travel up — with Logan likely getting a bulk, if not all of the time in net.

“This year, it’s just, you know, instead of getting half a game right away, I’m just… get a full game, get in and get ready to go,” Thompson said when meeting with the media.

The Capitals are bringing 22 players total on the trip: 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders, meaning one forward and one defenseman will likely be scratched. With the Capitals playing in Hershey on Monday night in a back-to-back, none of the players who suit up against the Bruins are expected to play that evening.

This year’s preseason limits each team to play only four games. Under the new CBA that just took effect, veteran players with at least 100 NHL games of experience are only allowed to play in two of them.

The Bruins will counter with a very young roster with the most notable player suiting up being veteran defenseman Charlie McAvoy.

Bruins Roster

Forwards

Defensemen

Goaltenders