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Capitals Game Day

Smith To Make Capitals Debut, Johansson Out, Lineup Notes vs. NYR

Craig Smith will make his Washington Capitals debut as the team faces the New York Rangers on Saturday.

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WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals will see new acquisition Craig Smith draw into the lineup as the team looks to snap a six-game losing streak in a key showdown with the New York Rangers.

Smith, who was acquired from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Garnet Hathaway and Dmitry Orlov in a big pregame trade back on Thursday, arrived in D.C. on Friday night. He will wear No. 16 for Washington.

The 33-year-old is a versatile forward who has spent most of his time playing on the right wing in Boston, though he has experience at center. Before coming to Boston in 2020, Smith played nine years with the Nashville Predators, with six of those seasons spent playing under current Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette.

As Smith draws in, forward Marcus Johansson will draw out due to a non-COVID illness.

Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper will get the start. In his last game against the Rangers, shut them out in a 4-0 win back on Dec. 27. It will be his fifth start over the last six games. Charlie Lindgren started the last game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Here are what the lines looked like for Thursday's loss and Friday's rushes. It's unclear what they will look like with Johansson out.

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Tom Wilson

Marcus Johansson-Nicklas Backstrom-Conor Sheary

Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-T.J. Oshie

Lars Eller-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Erik Gustafsson-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen

Matt Irwin-Dylan McIlrath