More Lineup Changes Coming For Capitals vs. Wild

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals will be back in action against the Minnesota Wild, and head coach Peter Laviolette said there will again be changes to the lineup and combinations with Nic Dowd out "for a little bit" with a lower-body injury.

Laviolette said that Lars Eller will draw back in with Dowd out of the mix, but said that there would be more changes beyond that and that at least two of the combinations would see a new look. However, the Sonny Milano-Nicklas Backstrom-Tom Wilson trio will stay the same, as Laviolette believes there could be something there and thought they were one of the better combinations on Monday in the 4-3 comeback win over the New York Islanders.

"Dowd coming out and Lars going back in right away two lines are getting moved around a little bit," Laviolette said.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Say Nic Dowd Will Be 'Out For A Bit' After Lower-Body Injury 

It is unclear who is coming out, but Laviolette did praise Marcus Johansson at center after he took over for Dowd down the middle on Monday, indicating that Eller could perhaps come in and play on the wing.

Also, it's unclear if Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has sat out the last four games after having scored goals in back-to-back games, will draw back in. If that's the case, another winger could draw out with Eller and NAK both rejoining the mix.

Laviolette also went on to explain that the decision to scratch Eller was by no means a reflection of his play, and that it was just a matter of balancing the 14 healthy forwards, as he mentioned.

Puck drop between the Capitals and Wild is at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.