The Jakob Chychrun trade has worked wonders for the Washington Capitals, who have loved having him on their revamped blue line this season. And luckily for D.C., the feeling appears to be mutual.

The Capitals will look to keep trending in the right direction against Ottawa, as Jakob Chychrun makes his return for the first time since being traded.

Ovechkin & Co. are back on top according to our voters. And at the midway point of the season, we identify the best fantasy player for all 32 clubs.

The Capitals will stick with their shaken-up lines from Saturday, with Taylor Raddysh playing on the top line and Connor McMichael centering the third line. Charlie Lindgren will start.

The Capitals are shaking things up on the top-6, with Pierre-Luc Dubois replacing Dylan Strome as Alex Ovechkin's center. Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson will play between Strome, while Aliaksei Protas moves to that top line.

In goal, Logan Thompson and Hunter Shepard worked in both nets, with Charlie Lindgren not skating as he recovers from an upper-body injury he suffered in Friday's loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Lindgren remains on the IR, but Carbery said he’s progressing well and they will see if he can be activated Saturday.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals will have a bit of a different look on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens, as they'll see an NHL debut while trying to extend their point streak to six games. Here's everything to know ahead of puck drop at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET.

Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) celebrates his goal with center Connor McMichael (24 ... and Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 ...

The Capitals are expected to make some changes to the lineup with the team not able to generate much in terms of 5-on-5 offense. Logan Thompson played just 24 hours ago in D.C. with Charlie Lindgren being pulled due to an injury following a collision in the crease, but he will start. Hunter Shepard is up from Hershey to play second chair.

The Buffalo Sabres return home from a trip out west and face a tough test against the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals on Monday night. Washington has 55 points, 22 ahead of last-place Buffalo, which went 1-2-1 on its trip and has lost three straight (0-2-1) after winning three in row.