Milano Will Be Healthy Scratch For Capitals Against Red Wings

With injuries piling up, the Washington Capitals made a few call-ups on Wednesday ahead of their Thursday road game against the Detroit Red Wings, most notably Sonny Milano. The 26-year-old had a strong start with the AHL’s Hershey Bears and is looking to capitalize on his chance to make his NHL return. However, he’ll have to wait.

Milano, who made the trip to Detroit, appears to be a healthy scratch for Thursday’s tilt, along with other call-ups Garrett Pilon and Lucas Johansen. Connor McMichael and Joe Snively, meanwhile, were taking rushes and will likely play against the Red Wings.

Here were the combinations at the morning skate, per The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell:

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Conor Sheary

Marcus Johansson-Dylan Strome-Anthony Mantha

Connor McMichael-Lars Eller-Aliaksei Protas

Joe Snively-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Dmitry Orlov-Trevor van Riemsdyk

Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen

Erik Gustafsson-Matt Irwin

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Milano signed a one-year, one-way $750,000 contract with Washington in mid-October. The 26-year-old had a strong season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2021-22, breaking out with 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points in 66 games. However, a lackluster second half to the year and the threat of arbitration led the Ducks to not qualify Milano, who became a UFA. Milano went without a deal this offseason and signed a professional tryout with the Calgary Flames. Things didn’t go according to plan, however, as Milano was released following a so-so showing at training camp.

Weeks later, the Capitals came knocking, and he has since been down with Hershey to get back up to full game speed. He is off to a great start and has two goals and an assist through five games so far.

While he isn’t playing Thursday, expect him to get his chance soon, as the team has to evaluate all of its options with Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson, Connor Brown, Carl Hagelin, Beck Malenstyn and John Carlson all on the shelf.

In 197 career NHL games, Milano has 36 goals and 45 assists for 81 points. He went in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft, going 16th overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets.