Missing Nic Dowd: A Test for the Capitals
The Washington Capitals are embarking on a three-game California road trip, beginning with a Tuesday night clash against the Los Angeles Kings. The big question mark? Veteran center Nic Dowd will be absent, missing his eighth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. This absence puts the Capitals' depth to the test.
Head coach Spencer Carbery provided a brief update after the team's morning skate, stating he didn't have a specific timeline for Dowd's return. However, Carbery did mention that Dowd has been skating, which is a positive sign.
Filling the Void
In the seven games Dowd has missed, along with Pierre-Luc Dubois, the Capitals have impressively adapted. Dylan Strome has stepped up, and a trio of young centers – Connor McMichael, Justin Sourdif, and Hendrix Lapierre – have carried the load. Remarkably, the Capitals have thrived in these circumstances, boasting a 6-1 record and climbing into the top three of the Metropolitan Division standings. This performance speaks volumes about the team's resilience and the development of their young players.
Lineup and Matchup Preview
Coach Carbery didn't reveal any lineup changes for the game against the Kings. The Capitals previously defeated LA 2-1 on home ice last month, with goals from former Kings defenseman Matt Roy and captain Alex Ovechkin. This sets the stage for an intriguing rematch.
Projected Capitals Lineup (12/2 Game vs. Kings)
- Ovechkin
- Strome
- Beauvillier
- Protas
- Sourdif
- Wilson
- Duhaime
- McMichael
- Leonard
- Milano
- Lapierre
- Frank
- Fehervary
- Carlson
- Chychrun
- Roy
- Sandin
- TVR
- Thompson
- Lindgren
Goaltending Decisions
Logan Thompson is slated to start in the first game of the California trip. Charlie Lindgren is likely to get the nod against the San Jose Sharks the following night. Thompson was outstanding in his last start against the New York Islanders, making 30 saves on 31 shots in a 4-1 victory.
Lindgren started the November game against the Kings, making this Thompson's first matchup with LA this season. Historically, Thompson has a strong record against the Kings, with a 5-2-0 record, a 2.38 goals-against average, and a .925 save percentage.
The Kings' Current Status
The Los Angeles Kings are currently second in the Pacific Division with a 12-6-7 record. They recently beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in overtime on Saturday. This game promises to be a competitive battle between two teams vying for position in their respective divisions.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the Capitals can maintain their strong performance without Dowd? Will Thompson continue his impressive form against the Kings? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
