Thompson missed the Golden Knights' practice Tuesday and is not expected to join the team as they head out on a road trip to Denver Wednesday. It comes at a bad time as Adin Hill (undisclosed) has yet to return to the team (but is expected soon). The 26-year-old net-minder has a 12-8-3 record, 2.83 GAA and .902 SV% in 24 games played this season.
With the immanent return to Charlie Lindgren (lower body), Hunter Shepard has been returned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) on Tuesday. The 28-year-old American netminder made his NHL debut this season and has appeared in four games with the Capitals, posting a 2-2-0, 3.19 GAA and .894 SV%.
Oshie has missed 17 of the last 21, including the last 11 with a lower-body injury, but is set to return on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Oshie has struggled this year with only four points (2G / 2A) in 26 games but was on a two-game point streak, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in his last two outings.
Lindgren has been activated from IR after missing five games, resulting in Hunter Shepard being reassigned to the Hershey Bears (AHL). The Capitals have gone 2-2-1 in Lindgren's absence and will be eager to welcome him back. Before his injury, Lindgren saved 56 of the last 59 shots he faced (.949 SV%), posting a 1-0-1 record.
Wilson did not practice on Tuesday but should be ready to play in Thursday's contest against the Seattle Kraken. Wilson played 15:13 time-on-ice in his last game, tallying four shots and two hits, matching his lowest hit output in nine games.
Reese Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Raddysh to return to the lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury. Raddysh has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 35 games this season and is expected to play on the top line of an injury-depleted Blackhawks roster alongside Rem Pitlick and Philipp Kurashev.
Wilson did not practice on Tuesday, and his status is up in the air ahead of Thursday's contest against the Seattle Kraken. In his last game, Wilson played 15:13 time-on-ice, tallying four shots and two hits, matching his lowest hit output in nine games.
Lindgren is progressing from his lower-body injury and could return to the lineup as early as Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings. That said, after Sunday's matchup, the Capitals are off until Thursday, so they may opt to give Lindgren a few extra days of rest. Before his injury, Lindgren saved 56 of the last 59 shots he faced (.949 SV%), posting a 1-0-1 record.
Matthew Phillips will be a healthy scratch for the Capitals on Friday, allowing Hendrix Lapierre to re-enter the lineup. In his last game, Lapierre recorded an assist in 8:27 time-on-ice, snapping a five-game streak without a point.
Sandin is battling an illness and did not participate in practice on Friday and will miss Friday's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes as he recovers. Sandin has five points (0G / 5A) in his last five games, most recently skating alongside Ethan Bear. He is considered day-to-day while he recovers.
Sandin is battling an illness and did not participate in practice on Friday, making him a game-time decision ahead of the Capitals' contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sandin has five points (0G / 5A) in his last five games, most recently skating alongside Ethan Bear.
Vrana has spent most of the last month with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, scoring eight points (4G / 4A) in seven games. He has been recalled in correspondence to the Blues reassigning Nikita Alexandrov to the AHL.
Thompson will start his fourth straight game for the Golden Knights on Thursday and look for only his second win in five starts. In his last six games (2-4-0), Thompson has allowed three or more goals four times, posting an ugly .866 SV% after posting a more serviceable .915 SV% in his five games prior (4-0-1). The Golden Knights are slight +103 home underdogs against a Panthers team that has won five straight, including a 4-2 victory over the Golden Knights on December 23rd.
With Charlie Lindgren still unavailable due to an upper-body injury, it will be Hunter Shepard who gets the calls for the tail-end of Washington's back-to-back on Wednesday. Though it's just the fourth start of the season for the 28-year-old rookie, Shepard has performed well when called upon this season. He owns a .926 SV% and a 2.27 GAA to go along with his 2-0-1 record on the season. His last start came on Saturday where he stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced before eventually falling to the Predators 3-2 in a shootout. Shepard will have his hands full tonight with the Capitals being +140 home underdogs to Jack Hughes and the Devils.
With the debut of Max Pacioretty incoming Wednesday Hendrix Lapierre will be the odd man out of the Capitals' forward lines vs. New Jersey. The 21-year-old centre has been enjoying a successful first full season in Washington, with two goals, four assists, 18 SOG, and a -1 plus/minus.
