Washington Capitals News

The Capitals have skyrocketed to the top of the Eastern Conference, 8-1-1 in their last 10, and will roll with Thompson on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Thompson has been outstanding lately and is coming off an impressive 39-save performance in a 2-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets for his second shutout of the season. He has a 1.96 GAA and .925 SV% in 21 games this season (13-6-2). Still, the Capitals enter Thursday's contest as slight +102 home underdogs against a Hurricanes team they defeated 4-1 last month.

Leonard has already missed one game due to an upper-body injury and is expected to be sidelined for nearly a month. The 21-year-old rookie was starting to come into his own before his injury, scoring 10 points (4G / 6A) in his last nine games.

Jenner has not played since November 11th, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 32-year-old Jenner has 30 hits and 10 points (3G / 7A) in 16 games this season. Jenner, usually an effective contributor when healthy, has battled injuries in recent years, playing fewer than 60 games in all but one of his last five seasons. Luca Del Bel Belluz will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Jenner's return.

Dunne will slot in for Josh Norris, who was a late scratch on Tuesday. Dunne will skate alongside Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn on Buffalo's fourth line.

Liljegren is battling a lower-body injury but will be available for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Liljegren is averaging a career-high 20:08 time-on-ice, recording four assists, 52 blocks, and a -8 plus/minus in 24 games this season.

Kyrou played just 53 seconds before leaving Saturday's game with a lower-body injury that he sustained hit from Stephen Halliday. Post-game, Blues' head coach Jim Montgomery said that Kyrou needs an MRI for a full diagnosis. It's unclear what the MRI revealed, but Kyrou will be sidelined week-to-week. The 27-year-old forward had 16 points (8G / 8A) and a -9 plus/minus in 28 games before his injury.

Liljegren is battling a lower-body injury and his status for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers in uncertain. The 26-year-old Liljegren is averaging a career-high 20:08 time-on-ice, recording four assists, 52 blocks, and a -8 plus/minus in 24 games this season.

Kyrou played just 53 seconds before leaving Saturday's game with a lower-body injury that he sustained hit from Stephen Halliday. Post-game, Blues' head coach Jim Montgomery said that Kyrou needs an MRI for a full diagnosis but labeled him as "day-to-day." Kyrou seems doubtful to play on Sunday in Montreal.

Sourdif exited Wednesday's game in the third period due to a lower-body injury, but will be available for Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The 23-year-old rookie has six points (3G / 3A) in 27 games this season.

It's unclear when Lindgren suffered the upper-body injury, and the Capitals did not indicate on how long they expect him to be sidelined. Washington signed amateur goaltender Parker Milner to a PTO to serve as Logan Thompson's backup on Friday.

Sourdif exited Wednesday's game in the third period due to a lower-body injury, and his status is uncertain for Friday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The 23-year-old rookie has six points (3G / 3A) in 27 games this season.

The Capitals are on a six-game winning streak and have skyrocketed to the top of the Eastern Conference with 36 points (17-9-2). The 28-year-old Thompson has continued his momentum from his terrific introductory season with the Capitals in 2024-25, boasting a stellar 2.02 GAA and .919 SV% through 19 games in 2025-26 (12-6-1). The Capitals enter Friday's contest as -136 road favorites against a Ducks team that has lost three of their last five (2-3-0).