Sandin will be a game-time decision after exiting the Capitals' Wednesday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils in the third period with an undisclosed injury. The Swedish defenseman has been held without a point in his first six games and has a -4 plus/minus rating.

Vrana has had a decent start to the season, registering three points (1G / 2A) while averaging 12:13 time-on-ice through five games but will be a healthy scratch for the Blues on Thursday. The Blues are opting to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Thursday as they welcome Scott Perunovich into the lineup.

Thompson will get his third start this season as the Vegas Golden Knights look to continue their season-opening six-game winning streak. In two games (2-0-0), Thompson has posted a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV% behind a Golden Knights defence that currently ranks fourth-best in the league (1.83 GA/GP). The Golden Knights are -198 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has outscored opponents 16-13 early this season (3-1-1).

Thompson will likely get his third start this season as the Vegas Golden Knights look to continue their season-opening six-game winning streak. In two games (2-0-0), Thompson has posted a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV% behind a Golden Knights defence that currently ranks fourth-best in the league (1.83 GA/GP). The Golden Knights are -198 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has outscored opponents 16-13 early this season (3-1-1).

Shepard is a 27-year-old career AHLer, who has gone 2-0-0 while allowing six goals on 52 shots (.885 SV%) in his first two starts with Hershey this season. Shepard impressed in a 33-game stint with the Bears last season, posting a .916 SV% and a 2.18 GAA to go along with a 20-8-5 record. He draws a difficult matchup in his NHL debut with the Capitals being +205 road underdogs in New Jersey.

Stevenson has been serving as Darcy Kuemper's backup, with Charlie Lindgren sidelined with an injury. Hunter Shepard will replace him in that role on Tuesday. Stevenson has gone 4-1-0 while allowing 10 goals on 119 shots (.916 SV%) in five career AHL games.

Shepard is a 27-year-old career AHLer, who has gone 2-0-0 while allowing six goals on 52 shots (.885 SV%) in his first two starts with Hershey this season. He replaces Clay Stevenson on the Capitals' roster and figures to serve as Darcy Kuemper's backup vs. the Maple Leafs.

Thompson will start for the Golden Knights on Thursday after serving as backup to Adin Hill for three of their four first games (4-0-0). This could be an indication of Thompson's usage going forward, as the Golden Knights seem content with giving their $4.9 million goalie, Hill, the priority in the crease. The defending Stanely Cup Champions have been stout defensively regardless of who has manned their net, outscoring their opposition by a lopsided 14-5 margin. In his only game this season, Thompson saved 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights enter action tonight as -111 road favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been abysmal defensively, allowing a league-worst 4.67 goals per game.

Lindgren left Monday's morning skate with an undisclosed injury and did not suit up against Calgary that night which has led to him being placed on the injured reserve. The 29-year-old has only started one game this season and is 0-1-0 with a .886 SV% and a 4.00 GAA. Clay Stevenson was recalled in his absence.

Aktell had a goal, and was a -1 plus/minus in two games with Hershey (AHL) and has been recalled to Washington for the first time in his career. The 25-year-old Swede was drafted by Nashville in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (108th overall) but he only crossed the border to North American this season after three years in the SHL. Aktell has a chance to make his NHL debut Saturday.

Thompson will likely start for the Golden Knights on Thursday after serving as backup to Adin Hill for three of their four first games (4-0-0). This could be an indication of Thompson's usage going forward, as the Golden Knights seem content with giving their $4.9 million goalie, Hill, the priority in the crease. The defending Stanely Cup Champions have been stout defensively regardless of who has manned their net, outscoring their opposition by a lopsided 14-5 margin. In his only game this season, Thompson saved 22 of 23 shots in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights enter action tonight as -111 road favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has been abysmal defensively, allowing a league-worst 4.67 goals per game.

No further details have been given in terms of the nature or the expected timeline of the injury, but the Capitals will miss the depth scoring and adept penalty-killing Dowd provides. The 33-year-old centreman tallied 13 goals and 12 assists in 65 games for the Capitals last season, and has managed to score double-digit goals in three straight seasons despite being limited to a fourth-line role. Anthony Mantha will draw back into the lineup in place of Dowd.

Stevenson has been called up for the second time this season and will backup Darcy Kuemper Monday as the Capitals take on the Flames. The 24-year-old goaltender has appeared in two games this season for the Hershey Bears (AHL), with a 1-1-0 record, .900 SV% and a 2.01 GAA. He is replacing Charlie Lindgren, who left practice early Monday with an undisclosed injury.

Lindgren left Washington's morning skate early Monday and will miss their matchup vs. Calgary due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old started Washington's only game this season; picking up a loss after allowing four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) vs. Pittsburgh.Clay Stevenson has been called up to replace him as Darcy Kuemper's backup.

Alexeyev did not appear in Washington's only game of the season but is expected to make his 2023-24 debut Monday as the Capitals' take on the Flames at home. The 23-year-old defenseman had five assists, 28 SOG, four PIMs, and a -2 plus/minus through 32 games as a rookie in 2022-23. He should be replacing Lucas Johansen in the Capitals' lineup Monday.

Protas did not appear in Washington's season opening loss to Pittsburgh but is set to make his season debut Monday vs. Calgary. The 22-year-old forward had four goals, 11 assists, 83 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 58 games in his sophomore season in 2022-23. He is expected to replace Anthony Mantha in the Capitals' lineup Monday.

Lindgren left practice early with a presumable ailment, leaving his status unclear on Monday night. Lindgren started the first game of the season, as Darcy Kuemper was away from the team for the birth of his son, and allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. If Lindgren is unable to suit up as the backup goalie on Monday night, the Capitals might be forced into an emergency call-up from the AHL.

Lindgren will get the nod in the crease for the Capitals' season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins as Darcy Kuemper is away from the team for the birth of his son. Lindgren struggled in his first season with the Capitals, posting a 3.05 GAA and .899 SV% in 31 appearances (13-11-3). The Capitals will be facing a hungry Penguins squad that was held to just two goals in their season-opening loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Clay Stevenson was recalled from the Hershey Bears of the AHL and will serve as backup to Lindgren.

It looks like Lindgren will get the nod in the crease for the Capitals' season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins as Darcy Kuemper is away from the team for the birth of his son. Lindgren struggled in his first season with the Capitals, posting a 3.05 GAA and .899 SV% in 31 appearances (13-11-3). The Capitals will be facing a hungry Penguins squad that was held to just two goals in their season-opening loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Clay Stevenson was recalled from the Hershey Bears of the AHL and will likely serve as backup to Lindgren.

Protas was the odd man out of the Capitals' roster and has been loaned to Hershey (AHL) Friday as they had to call up a third goaltender due to Darcy Kuemper leaving for the birth of his child. The 22-year-old forward is expected to return to Washington as Kuemper also returns and will be looking to build off his four goal, 11 assist, and 83 SOG campaign in 2022-23 across 58 games played.