Trevor van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Declan Chisholm. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers and recorded one assist.
With Pierre-Luc Dubois sidelined, day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Lapierre will draw back into Washington's lineup as his replacement. The 23-year-old Lapierre is averaging 10:03 time-on-ice and has zero points through two games this season. He will suit up on a line with Sonny Milano and Ryan Leonard.
Dubois exited Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers in the third period due to an undisclosed injury and did not return. He was also absent from practice on Tuesday, and will not play in the evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Dubois has been held off the scoresheet through three games this season. Hendrix Lapierre will draw into the lineup as Dubois' replacement.
The Capitals have received stellar goaltending and have been stout defensively early in the 2025-26 season, but have struggled offensively, only outscoring their opposition 6-5 through three games (2-1-0). Logan Thompson will be back between the pipes on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, looking to improve on his 2.03 GAA and .930 SV% through two games (1-1-0). Washington enters Tuesday's contest as a slight -109 home favorite against a Tampa Bay team that played yesterday in Boston, defeating the Bruins 4-3.
Dubois exited Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers in the third period due to an undisclosed injury and did not return. He was also absent from practice on Tuesday, and his status for Washington's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning is uncertain. The 27-year-old Dubois has been held off the scoresheet through three games this season.
The Capitals ended the 2024-25 season with the best record in the Western Conference, largely due to an outstanding season by Thompson. The 28-year-old Thompson split time with Charlie Lindgren throughout last season but was excellent when called upon, posting a 2.49 GAA and .910 SV% in 43 appearances (31-6-6). Thompson will likely be between the pipes for Washington's season-opening matchup on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, where they are listed as -184 home favorites.
Roy exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday, but has confirmed he is good to go for the Capitals' season opener on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Roy is slated to start the season on Washington's second defensive pair alongside Rasmus Sandin after putting up 24 points (3G / 1A) in 69 games last season.
McIlrath exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to a lower-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The extent of his injury is unclear, but he was likely a long shot to make Washington's opening night roster on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. That said, the 33-year-old McIlrath was a solid depth blueliner for the Capitals last season, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in 17 games.
Roy exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The 30-year-old Roy was slated to start the season on Washington's second defensive pair alongside Rasmus Sandin, but it's unclear whether his injury will keep him out of their season opener on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Roy had 24 points (3G / 1A) in 69 games last season.
Milano missed 79 games in 2024-25 with an upper-body injury and has already missed Washington's practice on Tuesday as he deals with a new upper-body-related injury. Washington has confirmed that the new ailment is unrelated to last year's injury. The 29-year-old's last full season was with Washington in 2023-24, where he had 15 goals and 23 points in 49 games played. He is currently leading all players in goals (4) in the preseason.
Ovechkin gave the NHL community a scare on Monday after he left the practice ice with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to make a full recovery and return to Washington's lineup after the 40-year-old skated on Tuesday. The 21-year NHL veteran is not expected to appear in Washington's preseason game on Tuesday despite the good news. Ovechkin is coming off a historic, 44-goal, 73-point campaign across 65 games played in 2024-25.
Ovechkin's age-40 season is not starting as he would hope after the veteran had to leave the ice during training camp to be further evaluated for a lower-body injury. Washington has yet to provide an injury update on their captain, who is entering his 21st NHL season. The greatest goal scorer of all time enters 2025-26 after an impressive 44-goal, 73-point campaign in 2024-25.
After one successful season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Sheldon Rempal has returned to North America and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension wth Washington. The 29-year-old last spent time with Vegas in the 2023-24 season, where he appeared in nine games and recorded two goals and three assists in limited minutes. In 68 games in the KHL in 2024-25, he had 31 goals and 61 points. He is expected to compete for a bottom-six spot on Washington to start the 2025-26 season.
Lapierre began the 2024-25 season with the Capitals but ultimately split his time between the AHL and NHL. During his time with the Capitals, Lapierre had eight assists in 27 games. He should be back with the Capitals as the No.3 centre to start 2025-26.
