Charlie Lindgren (upper body) will return to the Capitals lineup Thursday but Darcy Kuemper will start his third straight game as he takes on Seattle at home. The 33-year-old has struggled mightily in what has been the worst statistical season of his 12 year career, with his 10-9-2 record, 3.24 GAA and .893 SV%. He takes on the NHL's hottest team in the Seattle Kraken Thursday, who has won seven straight games and has not lost in regulation in 10 contests.

Burroughs will return to the Sharks' lineup after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury. He has no goals and four assists in 36 games this season.

Clarke was service in his season debut on Sunday, recording one shot on goal and one hit in 15:43 time-on-ice but will draw out of the lineup in favour of Jordan Spence on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his call-up last week, he spent the entirety of this season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, amassing 32 points (7G / 25A) in 30 games.

Spence will re-enter the lineup for the Kings as Brandt Clarke will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Before coming out of the lineup on Sunday, Spencer played nearly every game for the Kings over the last three months, scoring 12 points (0G / 12A) while averaging 15:11 time-on-ice through 34 games.

Jeannot exited Saturday's game against the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury after only playing 5:54 time-on-ice and is considered out week-to-week. The 26-year-old Jeannot has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight games while recording only seven shots on goal.

Studnicka played the last nine games for the Sharks, scoring zero points and being limited to only seven shots on goals. Before being acquired by the Sharks, he played nine games with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL this season, scoring seven points (1G / 6A) in nine games.

Kuemper will return to the crease on Friday for a Capitals club that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2). In his last outing, Kuemper played well, saving 32 of 33 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but has allowed three or more goals in three consecutive games (1-2-0), posting a miserable .863 SV%. The Capitals are +158 home underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes, who have won four straight, outscoring their opposition 19-8.

Kuemper will likely return to the crease on Friday for a Capitals club that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2). In his last outing, Kuemper played well, saving 32 of 33 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but has allowed three or more goals in three consecutive games (1-2-0), posting a miserable .863 SV%. The Capitals are +158 home underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes, who have won four straight, outscoring their opposition 19-8.

Kaliyev will re-enter the lineup on Thursday after sitting out Tuesday's game against the Maple Leafs. He has six goals and eight assists in 30 games this season.

Cam Talbot has lost his last three outings, so the Kings will turn to Rittich, who will attempt to capture his third victory in as many games with the team this season. In two games (2-0-0), Rittich has saved 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%). Despite their recent struggles, Rittich and the Kings are -174 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings squad that has lost three of their last five contests (2-3-0).

Burroughs is considered day-to-day with the injury. Marc-Edouard Vlasic will draw into the lineup in his place. Burroughs has no goals and four assists in 36 games this season.

Cam Talbot has lost his last three outings, so the Kings will likely turn to Rittich, who will attempt to capture his third victory in as many games with the team this season. In two games (2-0-0), Rittich has saved 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%). Despite their recent struggles, Rittich and the Kings are -174 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings squad that has lost three of their last five contests (2-3-0).

Edmundson will head to the press box Wednesday vs. New Jersey as he takes a maintenance game on the Capitals' second half of their back-to-back. The 30-year-old shutdown defensemen has a goal, an assist, and eight PIMs in 21 games played this season and will be replaced by Trevor van Riemsdyk Wednesday.

Clarke was the eighth overall pick of the King in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut last season, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in nine games. He has spent the entirety of this season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, amassing 32 points (7G / 25A) in 30 games.

Kaliyev's absence for Tuesday's game is a surprise, and it's unclear at this time whether this is simply a healthy scratch or if it's due to an undisclosed injury. He has six goals and eight assists in 30 games this season. Jaret Anderson-Dolan will enter the lineup in his place.

Nikita Okhotyuk will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Burroughs to re-enter the lineup for the Sharks. Burroughs has four points (0G / 4A), 85 hits, and 72 blocks in 35 games this season. He is expected to skate with Calen Addison on the third defensive pair.

The Capitals, losers of four straight, will return to Kuemper on Tuesday when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins. After a three-game winning streak where Kuemper allowed two goals or less in each game, Kuemper has allowed five goals in consecutive games, both losses, posting an ugly .833 SV%. The Capitals are +151 road underdogs against the Penguins, who have outscored their opposition 14-3 during a three-game winning streak.