After Getting Chance To Fill In For Oshie, McMichael On Outs Again

WASHINGTON — Head coach Peter Laviolette said that Connor McMichael would get an “unbelievable” opportunity to replace T.J. Oshie and make an impact for the Washington Capitals amid numerous injuries. However, his second game of the season was far from memorable for multiple reasons, and in turn, he’s the odd man out again.

McMichael will be a healthy scratch for the Capitals as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Joe Snively will get a chance to draw in with Oshie out on Tuesday. He will play on the third line with Aliaksei Protas and Lars Eller. Conor Sheary will play on the second line with Dylan Strome and Marcus Johansson. Evgeny Kuznetsov moves back to the top line, skating between Alex Ovechkin and Anthony Mantha.

McMichael was in that spot in the 3-2 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes just a day before but didn’t make himself too noticeable out there in 6:53 minutes of ice time, as he had one bad giveaway and was a minus-1.

The 21-year-old has played in just two games so far this season, going without a point and posting three blocks, a +/- of minus-1, one hit and his first NHL fight while averaging 7:43 minutes per in both games.

Here are the lines:

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Anthony Mantha

Marcus Johansson-Dylan Strome-Conor Sheary

Aliaksei Protas-Lars Eller-Joe Snively

Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Dmitry Orlov-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen

Erik Gustafsson-Matt Irwin

Charlie Lindgren will start following Darcy Kuemper’s third straight game just 24 hours ago.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals

McMichael is in his sophomore NHL season. In his rookie campaign last year, he had 18 points in 68 games. And as he waits to play and build on last year, he says he’s working to stay positive and be ready for when his number gets called.