Breaking down the Capitals preseason roster for Friday's home tilt against the Blue Jackets

The Washington Capitals take on the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night at 7 p.m. from Capital One Arena on Monumental Sports Network and Caps Radio 24/7.

Forwards

8 Alex Ovechkin

13 Jakub Vrana

15 Sonny Milano

17 Dylan Strome

24 Connor McMichael

53 Ethen Frank

58 Henrik Rybinski

63 Ivan Miroshnichenko

72 Pierrick Dube

88 Andrew Mangiapane

Defensemen

2 Vincent Iorio

6 Jakob Chychrun

25 Ethan Bear

27 Alex Alexeyev

74 John Carlson

76 Nick Lievermann

94 Jake Massie

Goaltenders

33 Clay Stevenson

79 Charlie Lindgren

Spencer Carbery said Rasmus Sandin will be on the ice for Friday's non game group practice but won't be on the ice for the game. You will however see Alex Ovechkin and a mix of more veterans plus another opportunity for Jakub Vrana to make the team.

Ovechkin could potentially be lined up with Dylan Strome and Andrew Mangiapane along with others like Jakob Chychrun, John Carlson, Sonny Milano, and Connor McMichael. Charlie Lindgren is expected to make his return into the crease as well as he enters his quest to remain the number one goalie heading into opening night.

Last season he won our hearts over and helped guide the Caps into the playoffs. It sadly came at the expense of Darcy Kuemper. There will also be a mix of prospects vying to make the roster and show they belong in the NHL which is not an easy job at all.

Vrana is here on a PTO and he gets another chance as well as forward propsects Andrew Cristall, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Pierrick Dube, Henrik Rybinski and Ethen Frank.

That competition for the extra forward role is heating up. Vrana has taken good steps on Wednesday. Miroshnichenko has shown poise. Cristall has scored twice.

Vincent Iorio draws in on the defense along with Ethan Bear who is hoping to keep his spot this season.