The Washington Capitals will wrap up a New York-based back-to-back on Sunday night as they face off against the New York Rangers. The Caps took down the New York Islanders 4-2 on Saturday night, while the Rangers also were in action, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1.
Head coach Spencer Carbery met with traveling media shortly before puck drop and revealed that the Capitals’ lineup against the Rangers is still undecided. The team didn’t suffer any obvious injuries in their win against the Islanders, but players like Matt Roy and captain Alex Ovechkin were banged up during training camp.
“Yeah, we’re working through a few things,” Carbery said. “Won’t know yet, but yeah, you’ll see at warmup.”
While there may be some questions with the club’s skaters, the Capitals’ starting goaltender will definitely be Charlie Lindgren. The 31-year-old backstop gets his first start of the season after Logan Thompson went 1-1 in the first two games of the year.
Carbery stated earlier this month that Thompson would take on more of the number-one starter role during the 2025-26 campaign, likely lessening Lindgren’s workload from the 39 games he appeared in last year.
Lindgren started one game against the Rangers last season, making 15 saves in a 3-2 overtime win on March 5. In his career against the Rangers, Lindgren is 3-1 with a 1.48 goals-against average, a .943 save percentage, and one shutout.
The Rangers are 2-1 to begin the season under new head coach Mike Sullivan. Igor Shesterkin made 18 saves against the Penguins on Saturday, so backup Jonathan Quick has drawn Sunday’s assignment against the Capitals.
Last year, the Capitals swept their season series with the Rangers, 3-0, including winning their lone road game.
Puck drop at Madison Square Garden is set for 7 pm.
Update (6:44 pm): Hendrix Lapierre and Trevor van Riemsdyk are coming out of the lineup for Sonny Milano and Declan Chisholm.
