The Washington Capitals are set for a New Year’s Eve matinee matchup with the New York Rangers on Wednesday. The team’s final game in the 2025 calendar year comes as they try to snap out of a funk that has seen them win just two of their last nine games. They’ll also look to redeem themselves after an embarrassing 7-3 loss to the Rangers on December 23.
Charlie Lindgren will get his 12th start of the 2025-26 season and first since a December 21 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, per head coach Spencer Carbery. In Lindgren’s three starts this month, he has gone 1-1-1 with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage.
Lindgren already started against the Rangers once this season, posting a 35-save shutout in his first appearance in October. He has posted sparkling numbers against New York over his career, going 4-1 in five starts with a 1.19 goals-against average, a .957 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Logan Thompson, who will serve as Lindgren’s backup on Wednesday, gave up six goals to the Rangers on just 20 shots faced last week. He has made 10 of the 13 starts in December for the Capitals.
Carbery also revealed that defenseman Dylan McIlrath will dress for the fifth time this season. McIlrath hasn’t played since he skated 10:01 of ice time against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 7.
In his four prior games, McIlrath has averaged 11:11 of ice time per game and has yet to record his first point of the campaign.
Capitals projected lineup for 12/31 game against Rangers
The Rangers arrive in DC after having dropped their past two games to the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders. They currently sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division, two points behind the Capitals, who hold the first wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Puck drop for the game at Capital One Arena is set for 12:30 pm.
