Overview

• Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena, with national coverage on ESPN.
• Head coach Spencer Carbery ruled Dubois out and day-to-day, prompting Connor McMichael to center a top-six role and Hendrix Lapierre to re-enter the lineup.
• RMNB projects Logan Thompson to start for Washington after Charlie Lindgren’s 35-save shutout at the Rangers, with Andrei Vasilevskiy expected in net for Tampa Bay.
• The Capitals are 2-1-0 after back-to-back wins over the Islanders and Rangers, while the Lightning are 1-2-0 following a 4-3 win in Boston featuring two goals from Anthony Cirelli.
• Washington’s special teams have stumbled early with an 0-for-8 power play and three goals allowed on seven penalty kills.