Lines and pairings ahead of game 1 against Montreal
Photo credit: MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery had the team go through full line rushes during their skate, offering a glimpse at how the lineup might look when the series against the Canadiens kicks off on Monday night at Capital One Arena in Washington.
The Washington Capitals hit the ice for their first 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs practice on Saturday morning at Capital One Arena. Here's their lines and pairings ahead of Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
Forwards
Ovechkin - Strome - Beauvillier
McMichael - Dubois - Wilson
Mangiapane - Eller - Leonard
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddush
Frank
Ovechkin - Strome - Beauvillier
McMichael - Dubois - Wilson
Mangiapane - Eller - Leonard
Duhaime - Dowd - Raddush
Frank
Goalies
Thompson
Lindgren
Stevenson
Thompson
Lindgren
Stevenson
Chris Cerullo from RMNB writes that head coach Spencer Carbery put together a top line of Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Anthony Beauvillier, a trio that showed promise in limited action late in the regular season. In just 24 minutes and 26 seconds of five-on-five play together, they outscored opponents 2-0, controlled 52% of the expected goals, and generated 68.8% of the high-danger scoring chances.
"Ovechkin and Strome are the team's top two scorers and their hottest two players coming into the postseason, recording a combined 22 points (13g, 9a) in April. Beauvillier, added at the trade deadline, did not record a single point during the final nine games of the season." -Cerullo
Pierre-Luc Dubois centers the second line alongside the familiar duo of Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson. This trio is expected to take on the challenge of matching up against Montreal's top line of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky.
Ryan Leonard looks poised to make his NHL playoff debut, skating on the third line alongside Lars Eller and Andrew Mangiapane. Together, they have yet to find the back of the net in 5 on 5 play.
Cerullo also writes that Carbery has turned once again to his dependable fourth line, with Nic Dowd centering Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh. The trio, a staple early in the season, saw consistent time together down the stretch and will likely resume their familiar role as the playoffs begin.
"On defense, Carbery has put together an ultra-offensive first pairing of Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson. The two started the season playing regularly with one another, but eventually began to be used only if the Capitals were down in a game and needed quick offense." -Cerullo
Rasmus Sandin and Matt Roy appear poised to be Carbery's go-to shutdown duo. The pair consistently handled difficult assignments during the regular season and performed exceptionally well in those high-pressure minutes.
The third pairing of Alex Alexeyev and Trevor Van Riemsdyk might be temporary for the time being. Martin Fehervary is sidelined with a suspected lower-body injury sustained against the New York Islanders earlier this week.
Logan Thompson took part fully in practice, sharing the crease with Charlie Lindgren as each goalie tended a net. This is a huge indication that Thompson should be an option come Game 1 on Monday.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 19 | 47 ANSWERS Lines and pairings ahead of game 1 against Montreal Will Capitals' goaltender Logan Thompson be ready for Game 1? | ||
| yes | 31 | 66 % |
| no | 16 | 34 % |
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