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Washington Capitals News

Thompson will start Friday vs. the Wild.

Strong goaltending helped spearhead the Capitals into first place in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25, a trend that has continued early in the 2025-26 season. Through four games this season (3-1-0), the Capitals have allowed a league-low seven total goals. Thompson has led the way with a 2.01 GAA and .921 SV% in three outings (2-1-0), and will return to the crease on Friday against the Minnesota Wild. Washington enters Friday's contest as -121 home favorites against a Minnesota team that is clicking at an outrageous 47.6% on the powerplay through four games (2-2-0).

Logan Thompson
Dubois (lower body) was a limited participant in Friday’s morning skate.

Dubois, who missed Tuesday’s game due to a lower-body injury, skated in a non-contact jersey on Friday. His limited participation, combined with the Capitals’ recall of Ethen Frank earlier in the day, suggests that Dubois is unlikely to play tonight vs. the Wild. Still, his presence on the ice is an encouraging sign that a return could be coming soon.

Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Capitals have recalled forward Ethen Frank from the Hershey (AHL).

With Pierre-Luc Dubois (lower body) still banged up, the Capitals have recalled Ethen Frank for the Hershey Bears (AHL) for precautionary reasons. The 27-year-old Frank made his NHL debut in 2024-25, playing 24 games with the Capitals and recording 7 points (4G/3A).

Ethen Frank
van Riemdsyk is expected to draw back into Washington's lineup vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Declan Chisholm will exit Washington's lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing van Riemsdyk to draw back in after being a healthy scratch on Sunday. The 34-year-old van Riemsdyk is averaging 13:47 time-on-ice and has a +2 plus/minus through two games this season.

Trevor van Riemsdyk
Chisholm is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Trevor van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Declan Chisholm. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers and recorded one assist.

Declan Chisholm
Lapierre is expected to draw back into Washington's lineup vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

With Pierre-Luc Dubois sidelined, day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Lapierre will draw back into Washington's lineup as his replacement. The 23-year-old Lapierre is averaging 10:03 time-on-ice and has zero points through two games this season. He will suit up on a line with Sonny Milano and Ryan Leonard.

Hendrix Lapierre
Dubois (lower-body) is out vs. Tampa on Tuesday and considered day-to-day.

Dubois exited Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers in the third period due to an undisclosed injury and did not return. He was also absent from practice on Tuesday, and will not play in the evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Dubois has been held off the scoresheet through three games this season. Hendrix Lapierre will draw into the lineup as Dubois' replacement.

Pierre-Luc Dubois
Thompson will start vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The Capitals have received stellar goaltending and have been stout defensively early in the 2025-26 season, but have struggled offensively, only outscoring their opposition 6-5 through three games (2-1-0). Logan Thompson will be back between the pipes on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, looking to improve on his 2.03 GAA and .930 SV% through two games (1-1-0). Washington enters Tuesday's contest as a slight -109 home favorite against a Tampa Bay team that played yesterday in Boston, defeating the Bruins 4-3.

Logan Thompson
Dubois did not skate at Tuesday's practice after leaving Washington's game on Sunday with an undisclosed injury.

Dubois exited Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers in the third period due to an undisclosed injury and did not return. He was also absent from practice on Tuesday, and his status for Washington's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning is uncertain. The 27-year-old Dubois has been held off the scoresheet through three games this season.

Pierre-Luc Dubois
Thompson will start Washington's season opener vs. Boston on Wednesday.

The Capitals ended the 2024-25 season with the best record in the Western Conference, largely due to an outstanding season by Thompson. The 28-year-old Thompson split time with Charlie Lindgren throughout last season but was excellent when called upon, posting a 2.49 GAA and .910 SV% in 43 appearances (31-6-6). Thompson will likely be between the pipes for Washington's season-opening matchup on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, where they are listed as -184 home favorites.

Logan Thompson
Roy (upper-body) is practicing on Tuesday and will play in Washington's season opener.

Roy exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday, but has confirmed he is good to go for the Capitals' season opener on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Roy is slated to start the season on Washington's second defensive pair alongside Rasmus Sandin after putting up 24 points (3G / 1A) in 69 games last season.

Matt Roy
McIlrath left Saturday's preseason game with a lower-body injury and did not practice on Monday.

McIlrath exited Saturday's preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to a lower-body injury and was absent from practice on Monday. The extent of his injury is unclear, but he was likely a long shot to make Washington's opening night roster on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. That said, the 33-year-old McIlrath was a solid depth blueliner for the Capitals last season, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in 17 games.

Dylan McIlrath