Stat Hockey’s Washington Capitals 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Washington Capitals 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Alex Ovechkin – Nicklas Backstrom – Anthony Mantha

Sonny Milano – Evgeni Kuznetsov – Tom Wilson

Connor McMichael – Dylan Strome – T.J. Oshie

Aliaksei Protas – Nic Dowd – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

S- Joe Snivley, Matthew Phillips

D

Martin Fehervary – John Carlson

Rasmus Sandin – Nick Jensen

Alexander Alexeyev – Trevor van Riemsdyk

S- Lucas Johansen

G

Darcy Kuemper

Charlie Lindgren

Notable injuries to start season: Max Pacioretty (achilles), Joel Edmundson (hand)

Forwards

The Washington Capitals appear to be opting to spread out the scoring to start the season, especially before Max Pacioretty returns. Backstrom may very well be back with Ovechkin. They have a ton of experience playing together and Backstrom has been in on many of Ovechkin’s goals. While Wilson or Oshie have been on the top line in the past, Mantha could see an opportunity. The Capitals can’t move him no matter how hard they try. This is the best chance for him to provide value to the lineup.

Kuznetsov might not want to be in Washington very much, but he is still very good. After a bit of a down season in 2022-23, he’s looking to bounce back offensively. Wilson is healthy from the start and should help with that. He has some underrated scoring ability. Milano was brought in last season and impressed. He deserves another look in the top-six.

The third line should be very competitive this season for the Capitals. Strome should arguably be higher up, but this is what spreading out the scoring looks like. He should have McMichael on his wing. After a season back in the AHL, he’s ready to stick around. Oshie will boost the line and give it a nice veteran presence as well.

The fourth line is nothing special. Dowd is solid and Aube-Kubel will help out here and there and is the prototypical fourth liner. Protas is also fine. I can see Snivley and even Phillips getting near equal time in the lineup on the fourth line.

Defense

The defense of the Capitals is definitely going through a big change. It has gotten much younger and it is more set up for the future than to win now. Carlson is their rock, but has to stay healthy. Fehervary has done well as a shutdown partner in this pairing too.

Sandin stepped up in Carlson’s absence when the young defender was acquired. He has lots of offensive talent, but still makes mistakes. He should have a solid season in the top-four, at least while Edmundson is out. Jensen is solid and should help with any mistakes right now.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Vegas Golden Knights 2023-24 Line Projections

While Alexeyev should get a shot while there’s a spot to be filled in the lineup, he might be bumped out when Edmundson returns. van Riemsdyk is another solid piece on the third pairing, but nothing special.

Goaltending

Goaltending might have struggled last season, but both are capable of much more. As much as the Capitals would have liked Kuemper’s SV% to be higher, he did win them a fair bit of games. Lindgren is a good backup, but all of the injuries definitely didn’t help the goalies keeping the puck out of the net.