Washington got itself a new centre on Wednesday as it made a one-for-one trade with Los Angeles to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Dubois is in the second year of an eight-year, $68 million contract that he signed in June of 2023. The 25-year-old had the worst full season of his eight-year career in 2023-24, with 16 goals and 40 points in 82 games played.
Bear was a late-season signing for the Capitals making his debut at the end of December, but did not finish the campaign after entering the NHLPA player assistance program in late March. The 26-year-old defenseman scored four points (1G / 3A) while averaging 14:54 time-on-ice in 24 games this season.
After losing their first game of the series on Saturday, the Golden Knights are still in a favourable position with a 2-1 series lead and will turn to Thompson between the pipes on Monday for game four. Thompson was sensational in game three, saving 43 of 46 shots (.935 SV%), including countless breakaways and odd-man rushes in the eventual 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. The Golden Knights enter game four as +111 road underdogs.
van Riemsdyk played 3:27 TOI before leaving Game 3 with an upper-body injury that he suffered on a massive hit from Matt Rempe, which was called for interference. It was a huge in-game blow for the Capitals, who were already without Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen, and Vincent Iorio on the blueline.
Sandin has been out since April 7th due to an upper-body injury but is close to returning and was a game-time decision for Game 3 on Friday vs. New York. The 24-year-old will make a welcome return if and when he is able to suit up after he posted career highs in points (23), games played (68) and SOG (79) while averaging 21:07 TOI per game.
With Washington down 2-0 they will turn back to Charlie Lindgren on Friday for Game 3 at home. The 30-year-old has allowed four goals in each of the Capitals' losses to start the playoffs and will look to build off his .864 SV%. He'll attempt to slow down the New York Rangers on Friday, who finished the regular season with the leagues best record and were seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).
Sandin has been out since April 7th due to an upper-body injury but is close to returning and a game-time decision for Game 3 on Friday vs. New York. The 24-year-old will make a welcome return if he is able to suit up after he posted career highs in points (23), games played (68) and SOG (79) while averaging 21:07 TOI per game.
Miroshnichenko will take the spot of Nicolas Aube-Kubel as he makes his playoff debut on Friday for Game 3 vs. New York. The 20-year-old rookie appeared in one-fourth of Washington's regular season games and had two goals, six points, 30 SOG, and six PIMs in 21 games played.
With Washington down 2-0 they will turn back to Charlie Lindgren on Friday for Game 3 at home. The 30-year-old has allowed four goals in each of the Capitals' losses to start the playoffs and will look to build off his .864 SV%. He'll attempt to slow down the New York Rangers on Friday, who finished the regular season with the leagues best record and were seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).
Fresh off a 4-3 victory in game one, the Golden Knights will turn to Thompson between the pipes again in game two against the Dallas Stars. Thompson had some struggles in game one but was solid when needed, saving 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%). The Golden Knights enter game two on Wednesday as +145 road underdogs.
Lindgren allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in a game 1 loss but will get the chance for redemption on Tuesday as he takes the crease for Game 2 in New York. The 30-year-old veteran netminder broke out in 2023-24 in his first season as a starter, with his 25-16-7 record, 2.67 GAA, .911 SV% and league-leading six shutouts. He will look to slow down the President Trophy winners in New York for Game 2, who finished the regular season seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).
Sandin has been out since April 7th, did not play game one on Sunday and will subsequently miss game two as well. The 24-year-old appeared in a career-high 68 games with Washington in 2023-24 and had three goals, 23 points, 79 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus.
Haman-Aktell was the 108th overall pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in six games with the Capitals. The 25-year-old defenseman spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Hershey Bears (AHL), tallying 11 points (2G / 9A) in 55 games.
