Capitals Game Day: Lines, Who To Watch, What To Know vs. Coyotes

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are back home, and they are ready to throw things back on Saturday as they face the Arizona Coyotes in their first Reverse Retro game of the season.

Washington (5-5-2) will be wearing the black Screaming Eagle jerseys for the first time this season as part of the NHL’s Reverse Retro 2.0 campaign. And, as they take their new jerseys for a spin, the Capitals will also see a new face debut at Capital One Arena.

Sonny Milano will make his Washington debut on Saturday against Arizona, who is 3-6-1 to open the year. The 26-year-old was called up earlier this week with seven skaters — including six forwards — out with injuries. He will play on the top-6 in the T.J. Oshie spot alongside Dylan Strome and Marcus Johansson.

Here are the line combinations:

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Conor Sheary

Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-Marcus Johansson

Connor McMichael-Lars Eller-Anthony Mantha

Aliaksei Protas-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Dmitry Orlov-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen

Erik Gustafsson-Matt Irwin

Lucas Johansen and Joe Snively are the extras. John Carlson also skated this morning but will not play as he remains on the IR. Garrett Pilon was also set to be a healthy scratch. However, he is now on his way back to Hershey, as there is a new healthy scratch on the roster: Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Washington claimed the 26-year-old off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday afternoon.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Claim Nicolas Aube-Kubel Off Waivers & Everything To Know

Darcy Kuemper will get the start, with Charlie Lindgren backing up. Both he and Lindgren have their Reverse Retro gear ready. (Here’s a closer look at Kuemper and Lingren’s setups).

When it comes to players to watch, eyes will again be on Alex Ovechkin. The Great 8 will be wearing the sweater he started his Capitals career in and will have the chance to pass Gordie Howe for the most goals with one franchise in NHL history. He tied the record back on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Also watch for Milano. It will be his first NHL game since last season, but he has looked solid in the five games he had down in Hershey, where he had two goals and an assist. Evgeny Kuznetsov also leads the team in helpers and remains hungry for his first goal of the season. And, after Thursday’s strong showing, watch for Connor McMichael. He was doing everything right and making the most of each shift against Detroit.

On the Coyotes side, former Washington forwards Liam O’Brien and Travis Boyd are on their top-6. The Arizona power play is dangerous, though, and in the top three in the NHL right now. Also look out for Dylan Guenther, the rookie who just got word he will remain with the big club this season, as well as leading scorer Clayton Keller and Shayne Gostisbehere.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arnea. The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington.