Washington Capitals News

Thompson allowed six goals on 29 shots in the Capitals' loss in New Jersey on Thursday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Thompson, who will be making his 10th consecutive start on Saturday. Thompson has given up at least four goals in four straight games, posting a 4.44 GAA and .852 SV%. Tonight he'll face a Blue Jackets team that has lost five straight games while averaging just 1.8 goals per game.

Thompson's play has been unpredictable lately, but he returns to the crease on Thursday as Washington tries to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old Thompson allowed three or fewer goals in nine straight games to open March, posting a stellar 2.23 GAA and .920 SV%, but only had a 3-4-2 record to show for it. Thompson finished the month by allowing four goals in three straight games, posting an ugly 3.90 GAA and .871 SV%, but had a perfect 3-0-0 record. The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as slight -103 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored two or fewer goals in two of their last three games (1-2-0).

Thompson's play has been unpredictable lately, but he returns to the crease on Thursday as Washington tries to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old Thompson allowed three or fewer goals in nine straight games to open March, posting a stellar 2.23 GAA and .920 SV%, but only had a 3-4-2 record to show for it. Thompson finished the month by allowing four goals in three straight games, posting an ugly 3.90 GAA and .871 SV%, but had a perfect 3-0-0 record. The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as slight -103 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored two or fewer goals in two of their last three games (1-2-0).

Sam Carrick (upper body) will not play on Thursday, allowing Dunne to play for the first time in over three weeks. The 27-year-old Dunne is averaging 9:31 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 31 games this season.

Protas was limited to only 6:27 time-on-ice in Washington's 5-4 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, exiting the game due to an upper-body injury, and has not played since. The 25-year-old forward has 47 points (23G / 24A) in 70 games this season. With only seven games remaining in Washington's regular season, it appears that Protas is targeting a return before the end of the season.

Thompson has been outstanding for Washington in recent weeks, and his team repaid the favour, bailing him out with wins in consecutive games in which he has allowed four goals. The 29-year-old Thompson will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers, looking to build on his 2.53 GAA and .912 SV% through 11 games in March (5-4-2). The Capitals enter Tuesday's contest as -126 home favourites against a Flyers team that defeated them 4-1 earlier this month.

Kampf was acquired in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks at the trade deadline, but personal logistics have delayed his team debut by nearly four weeks. The 31-year-old Czech forward scored six points (2G / 4A) and averaging 15:02 time-on-ice in 38 games before being traded this season.

Protas was limited to only 6:27 time-on-ice in Washington's 5-4 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, exiting the game due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old forward has 47 points (23G / 24A) in 70 games this season. With only eight games remaining in Washington's regular season, it is unclear when, or if, Protas will be targeting a return.

Thompson has had a heavy workload lately as Washington desperately battles to stay in playoff contention, and he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The 29-year-old goalie has been outstanding lately, but he finds himself amid a two-game losing skid (0-1-1). That said, he has a stellar 2.09 GAA and .924 SV% in his last 12 games (6-4-2). The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +122 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that is 1-2-0 in their last three games.

Thompson has had a heavy workload lately as Washington desperately battles to stay in playoff contention, and he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The 29-year-old goalie has been outstanding lately, but he finds himself amid a two-game losing skid (0-1-1). That said, he has a stellar 2.09 GAA and .924 SV% in his last 12 games (6-4-2). The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +122 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that is 1-2-0 in their last three games.

Matthew Kessel will re-enter the Blues' lineup on Thursday, sending Holl to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Holl is averaging 15:47 time-on-ice and has one assist in five games this season.

Brodzinski has regularly shuffled in and out of the lineup this season, but he will return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old forward is averaging 11:03 time-on-ice and has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 45 games this season.