











McIlrath will slot in for John Carlson, who is out with an illness. McIlrath has zero goals and two assists in 13 games this season.

Chychrun was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Capitals announcing his absence about five minutes prior to the start of warmups. Dylan McIlrath will draw into the lineup in his place.

With Logan Thompson still sidelined, Lindgren will return to the crease on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Lindgren struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders. The 31-year-old Lindgren has a 2.71 GAA and .894 SV% in 36 games this season (18-13-3). The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +121 home underdogs against a Hurricanes team coming off a 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Thomas was a fourth-round pick, 104th overall, of the Capitals in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has impressed in his fourth season in the OHL, scoring 104 points (27G / 77A) in 66 games with the Brantford Bulldogs.




With Matt Roy (personal) returning to the lineup, McIlrath will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old McIlrath is averaging 11:08 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games this season.
