Capitals Game Day: Kuznetsov Will Play, Team Seeks ‘W’ vs. Canucks

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Fresh off their first win of the season, the Washington Capitals are ready to get back right back at it as they welcome Bruce Boudreau and the Vancouver Canucks to Capital One Arena on Monday.

Washington will look to get back on level with the rest of the East as they face a Vancouver team looking for its first win, which would also — somewhat fittingly — fit as Boudreau’s 600th career NHL victory.

However, the Capitals will potentially be without a key piece, as Evgeny Kuznetsov is a game-time decision and did not take part in Washington’s morning skate. Per the team, he is out for “maintenance” on Monday. With No. 92 out, Connor McMichael had slotted into the mix for the first time this regular season. However, he will not play, as Kuznetsov is ready to go.

Here are the combinations for Monday’s matchup:

Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Connor Brown

Anthony Mantha-Evgeny Kuznetsov-T.J. Oshie

Marcus Johansson-Lars Eller-Aliaksei Protas

Conor Sheary-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Martin Fehervary-John Carlson

Dmitry Orlov-Nick Jensen

Erik Gustafsson-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Darcy Kuemper

Charlie Lindgren

Darcy Kuemper appears set to get the start again, as he was first off the ice. Following a shaky debut on Wednesday, the 32-year-old had a great bounceback showing on Saturday against the Canadiens, stopping 21 of 22 shots (.952 save percentage) and appearing more confident in net.

READ MORE ON WHN: Story Behind Washington Capitals’ New Player Of The Game Rope, Team Motto

As for players to watch, look out for a hungry Ovechkin. The 37-year-old is still in the hunt for his first goal of the season after seeing a few grade-A chances ring off iron so far and also witnessing what would’ve been his 781st career strike ruled offside on Saturday. He led the club with six shots against Montreal, and it’s clear that he’s ready to make his mark. This is the first time since the 2012-13 lockout season that the Great 8 has gone without a goal through the first three games of the year; he ended up leading the league in goals in that shortened 48-game campaign.

Also keep an eye on Anthony Mantha and Conor Sheary, who both have two goals in three games, as well as T.J. Oshie, who sparked the power play and has three points in as many games to open the year.

On the Vancouver side, J.T. Miller wants to put a frustrating start behind him. He said to reporters that he wasn’t happy with his start, especially after being on the ice for “all eight f**ing goals against.” The star had 99 points last season and is a key piece that can do a lot of damage. In addition, watch out for Andrei Kuzmenko. The new offseason addition scored his first NHL goal in his debut and has been dangerous for the Canucks so far.