Washington Capitals News

Liljegren was a late scratch on Thursday ahead of game time due to an upper-body injury and is not expected to be out week-to-week but is luckily expected to return before the playoffs. The 24-year-old had been playing exceptionally as of late with six points (1G/5A) in his last seven games while occupying Toronto's top powerplay unit.

Beauvillier will take a seat on Thursday as Cody Glass draws into the Predators' lineup. Beauvillier has no goals and one assist in eight games with the Predators.

With Adin Hill (undisclosed) still sidelined, Thompson will likely start for the Golden Knights on Thursday. Thompson was stellar in his last outing, saving 32 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues, and has only allowed one goal in each of his last three starts (3-0-0). The Golden Knights enter action as +108 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club riding a four-game losing skid.

Holl will get the chance to play on Thursday as the Red Wings are being forced into dressing seven defensemen due to Patrick Kane and Austin Czarnik missing out due to illness. Daniel Sprong will also re-enter the lineup.

Liljegren is a surprise scratch for Thursday's game as the team gave no indications of a potential injury prior to warmups. His absence makes way for the return to Giordano (concussion), and Connor Timmins will likely move up to the top power-play unit in his place.

MacDonald played the last six games for the Sharks but only averaged slightly above 10 minutes of ice time in his last two contests. The 31-year-old defenseman has eight points (6G / 2A), 34 hits, and 17 blocks in 30 games this season.

With Adin Hill (undisclosed) still sidelined, Thompson will likely start for the Golden Knights again on Thursday. Thompson was stellar in his last outing, saving 32 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues, and has only allowed one goal in each of his last three starts (3-0-0). The Golden Knights enter action as +108 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club riding a four-game losing skid.

The Capitals will likely continue to roll with Lindgren between the pipes on Thursday as they push for a playoff spot. Lindgren has been tremendous lately, allowing three or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 games (8-2-0), including saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings in his last outing. That said, his one blip came last week against the Toronto Maple Leafs, whom the Capitals face on Thursday, allowing seven goals on 29 shots (.759 SV%) in a 7-3 loss.

The Capitals will turn to Lindgren for the sixth time in the last seven games in a highly contested battle for a wild-card spot against the Detroit Red Wings. After a poor performance, allowing seven goals on 29 shots (.759 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week, Lindgren responded with a stellar effort, saving all 27 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets for his fifth shutout of the season. The Capitals enter action as a -117 home favourite against the Red Wings.

With Adin Hill (undisclosed) sidelined and awaiting further evaluations, Thompson is the defacto starting goalie for the Golden Knights and will tend the twine on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. Thompson has won his last two starts, allowing only one goal in each, saving 41 of 43 combined shots (.953 SV%). The Golden Knights have won three of their last four and enter action as -153 road favourites.

Wilson's in-person hearing for his high stick on Toronto's Noah Gregor has led to a six-game suspension for the repeat offender. It is the sixth time that the 29-year-old has been suspended and will put a halt to his 2023-24 All-Star campaign where he has 17 goals, 32 points, and 120 PIMs in 66 games played. He will be eligible to return on April 4th vs. Pittsburgh

Protas was a surprise scratch for Wednesday's game, with the Capitals not announcing his absence until the start of warmups. The team added Protas is listed as day-to-day with the injury.