Washington Capitals: Top 3 keys to victory against Bruins

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Conor Sheary, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

#2 New lineups, new offense?

The Caps will be going with a different lineup with several players still out to injury or COVID. The Caps held a morning skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex today. Here are what the lines will look like via Samantha Pell of The Washington Post:

Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Sheary-Oshie-Panik
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway
Vrana-Sgarbossa-Sprong

Defense
Chara-Carlson
Dillon-TvR
Orlov-Jensen

Lars Eller and Justin Schultz were not on the ice for morning skate due to injuries although Eller did come back on at the end of the skate in a light blue non contact jersey. Brian Pinho also came out in a light blue jersey.

The offense will get a different look tonight. Alex Ovechkin is back on the top line. Jakub Vrana drops to the fourth while Conor Sheary moves up to the second. On the defense, Dmitry Orlov is back in the lineup. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov are out due to COVID protocol with Samsonov testing positive for the virus.

Eller and Schultz are still day to day. Orlov makes his first appearance in five games. Ovechkin meanwhile will likely see an increase in ice time. Maybe we’ll see some more goals.

Head coach Peter Laviolette talked more about moving Sheary up to the second line. Via Pell:

"“Conor’s played really well … the lines are going to change a little bit based on players coming in and out of the lineup. I think that creates a good environment where you’ve got to compete for your ice time.”"

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