Eller was forced to leave Friday’s game with lower-body injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bruins. Eller missed Saturday’s practice but skated on his own beforehand and could be an option on Sunday. Alex Ovechkin will replace Eller if he’s unavailable.
The injuries continue to pile-up for Arizona, who are without Chychrun, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jason Demers on the blueline as they head to San Jose. “He tweaked something and we just want to nip it in the bud,” head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters.
The Capitals return to the ice on Friday and Ovechkin will not play vs. the Flames. With their top-left winger out, Chandler Stephenson will move to the top-line with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. Ovechkin will be back in the lineup Sunday vs. the Bruins.
Chychrun was listed as a game-time decision due to a minor undisclosed injury but appears set to take on the Senators tonight. Chychrun has recorded three goals and seven assists (10 points) in 30 games this season.
Chychrun missed Monday’s practice with what the Coyotes described as “maintenance” but now he’s listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s contest in Ottawa. Chychrun is goalless with three assists in his last 10 games.
Backstrom missed Tuesday’s game due to an illness but skated in Wednesday’s optional practice and said he’s feeling better and thinks he’ll play on Thursday.
Backstrom will not skate this morning and is considered a game-time decision due to illness. Nic Dowd would likely draw into the Capitals lineup to replace Backstrom if he can’t go.
Borgstrom opened the season with the Panthers, picking up a single goal in four games. Since being sent to Springfield, the former first-round pick ranks third on the team in points with 22 (5G / 17A) in 24 games.
Wilson has missed the last three games with a concussion but is expected to play in Carolina on Friday. Wilson, who will skate on the second line with Evgeny Kuznetsov, has eight goals and six assists (14 points) in 11 games this season.
Oshie has missed the last 11 games with a concussion but will play Tuesday vs. the Red Wings. Oshie has a chance to get on the scoresheet right away as he will skate on the right wing with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. So far this season, Oshie has scored nine goals with five assists (14 points) in 18 games.
Wilson missed the Capitals morning skate and is expected to miss Saturday’s game in Columbus. Wilson remains day-to-day, so monitor his status heading into next week.
Wilson was hurt on a hit from Vegas forward Ryan Reaves on Tuesday and will come out of the lineup with a concussion on Thursday. Andre Burakovsky will move up to the top-line with Wilson out.
Carlsson, 21, has picked up seven points (1G / 6A) in 18 games with Cleveland this season. The 2015 first-round pick (No.29 overall) has just three assists in 17 career NHL games.
Mangiapane has had a nice season in Stockton. He is currently tied for second on the team in goals (7) and tied for fifth in points (14) despite playing in just 13 of 21 games. Mangiapane has not suited up for the Flames this season but has 10 career NHL games under his belt.
Strome, who was acquired from the Coyotes on Sunday night, will make his Blackhawks debut vs. the Golden Knights. Strome had just six points (3G / 3A) in 20 games before being traded. He will start on the fourth line and second power-play unit tonight.
