Overview
- Thursday’s winner will take over first place in both the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference.
- Washington enters 10-1-1 in its last 12 games, including an eight-game point streak, with a penalty kill that has gone 14-for-15 over the past four games.
- Morning-skate reports had Brandon Bussi in the Hurricanes’ starter’s crease, reflecting growing trust in the rookie who is 9-1-0 in his first 10 NHL starts.
- Logan Thompson is expected to start for the Capitals after a 39-save shutout of Columbus, improving to 13-6-2 with a 1.96 GAA and .925 save percentage.
- Coach Spencer Carbery said defenseman John Carlson was a possibility to return, while Carolina continues to monitor Jaccob Slavin’s progress and saw Jesperi Kotkaniemi back on the ice as Will Carrier was deemed likely to play.