

The Capitals acquired Sourdif's RFA rights a couple of days ago and wasted no time inking him to a two-year deal. The 23-year-old winger spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, where he had 34 points (16G / 18A) in 43 games, but he could be a candidate to join the Capitals' fourth line in 2025-26.

Sourdif was a third-round pick (No.87 overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, who has appeared in just four NHL games since. In 2024-25, he spent most of the season in Charlotte (AHL), where he had 34 points (16G / 18A) in 43 games. Sourdif will likely battle for a bottom-6 role with the Capitals in training camp.

Rybinski is coming off his third and most successful AHL season with Hershey and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with Washington. The 24-year-old forward was the Capitals' 2019 5th-round pick (136th overall) and is expected to spend 2025-26 back with Hershey, where he had 10 goals and 35 points in 60 games last season.

After an impressive season with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), Garin Bjorklund has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with Washington for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old Canadian netminder was Washington's 2020 6th-round pick (179th overall) and posted a 21-4-3 record, .927 SV% and 2.02 GAA with South Carolina last season. Washington is hoping he can bring his success from last season to Hershey (AHL) as he takes a further step forward in his development.
Chesley was Washington's 2022 2nd round pick (37th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. The 21-year-old defenseman spent 2024-25 with the University of Minnesota (NCAA) where he captained the team and put up eight goals and 20 points in 40 total games played.

Lindgren will return to serve as Washington's backup after missing the last three games for personal reasons. Lindgren has made one relief appearance so far this post-season, allowing one goal on five shots in a 6-3 loss to the Canadiens.

The Capitals enter a must-win Game 5, trailing the Hurricanes 3-1 in the series, and will roll with Thompson between the pipes. The Hurricanes have outscored the Capitals 12-6 through four games. Thompson has allowed four goals in consecutive games (0-2) but will look to rebound in Game 5 at home. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% through nine games (5-4) this postseason. The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +147 home underdogs against the Hurricanes.

The Capitals enter a must-win Game 5, trailing the Hurricanes 3-1 in the series, and will roll with Thompson between the pipes. The Hurricanes have outscored the Capitals 12-6 through four games. Thompson has allowed four goals in consecutive games (0-2) but will look to rebound in Game 5 at home. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% through nine games (5-4) this postseason. The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +147 home underdogs against the Hurricanes.

Lindgren will likely serve as the backup if he can suit up. However, the Capitals recalled Clay Stevenson on Thursday morning, giving the Capitals, who already have Mitchel Gibson on the roster, some options for who will backup Logan Thompson.

Stevenson made his NHL debut during the regular season, posting a 5.00 GAA and .868 SV% in one game (0-1-0). The undrafted 26-year-old goalie spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, posting a 2.94 GAA and .888 SV%.

The Caps will unsurprisingly stick with Thompson between the pipes for Game 4 as they look to even up their series with the Hurricanes. Thompson didn't enjoy his best outing in Game 3, allowing four goals on 28 shots in the 4-0 defeat. It was a rare off night in these 2025 Playoffs for Thompson. The 27-year-old netminder has posted a 5-3-0 record and a .922 SV% in eight appearances. The Capitals enter action on Monday at +200 on the money line.

Leonard has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but it looks like he will replace Taylor Raddysh in the lineup for Game 4 on Monday. Leonard has just one assist and 11 SOG in six playoff games so far.

Thompson has been excellent through two games against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, allowing only three combined goals on 61 shots (.951 SV%). That said, the Capitals are tied 1-1 with the Hurricanes and will be desperate for a victory on the road in Game 3 to regain home-ice advantage. The Capitals enter Saturday's contest as +207 road underdogs.

Gibson was a late addition to the Capitals lineup in place of Charlie Lindgren, who is unavailable due to personal family reasons. Gibson is yet to appear in an NHL game and split time between South Carolina (ECHL) and Hershey (AHL) this season.

Thompson nearly stole Game 1 for the Capitals, stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced in the 2-1 overtime loss. After a breakout season in Washington, Thompson has arguably been the standout goaltender of the 2025 NHL Playoffs, posting a 4-2-0 record, a .926 SV%, and a 2.17 GAA. He'll need to be at his very best again on Thursday if he wants to guide his team to a bounce back victory in Game 2, as the Capitals enter action at +135 on the money line.

Lindgren was projected to serve as the backup on Thursday, but was a late scratch due to personal family reasons. Mitchell Gibson will dress and back up Logan Thompson in his place.

Leonard only has one assist through six playoff games this offseason and is expected to be a healthy scratch for Taylor Raddysh ahead of Game 2 on Thursday. The 20-year-old right-winger has 15 total NHL games under his belt and has a goal and an assist during that span.

Thompson stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Capitals' Game 5 win over the Canadiens. Thompson was outstanding in Round 1, going 4-1 with a 2.23 GAA and .923 SV% in five games. Tonight he'll face the Hurricanes in Game 1. He only played vs. Carolina once this season. Thompson allowed three goals on 12 shots in that game before leaving with an injury that would cost him the rest of the regular season.

Protas has not played since suffering a foot injury on April 4th but appears set to make his 2024-25 postseason debut in Game 5 after being a game-time decision the past three contests. The 24-year-old Protas had 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season
