Forward Johan Larsson is expected to make his Capitals debut Sunday as the team hosts the Minnesota Wild.
Larsson was a trade deadline acquisition from the Arizona Coyotes, but was still recovering from sports hernia surgery at the time he was traded. He has played in 29 games with six goals and nine assists this season.
Head coach Peter Laviolette would not confirm that Larsson would be in, but all indications at morning skate were that he would be in the lineup for the game.
Based on the morning skate, Larsson will slide onto the fourth line at left wing. This was the most likely spot projected for him when he was traded, but he has said he is comfortable playing either wing or center.
"[Larsson's] somebody that really fits that role we're missing with [Carl Hagelin]," Laviolette said. "Again, a veteran player, he's a good checker, he's quick, he's tenacious. I'm excited to see him play, especially on that line and in that role."
Here are the lines from the morning skate:
Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Marcus Johansson
NHL
Anthony Mantha - Evgeny Kuznetsov - T.J. Oshie
Conor Sheary - Lars Eller - Tom Wilson
Johan Larsson - Nic Dowd - Garnet Hathaway
Martin Fehervary - John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov - Nick Jensen
Trevor van Riemsdyk - Justin Schultz
Based on the lines, Larsson will be playing with Dowd who is expected to make his return to the lineup from an upper-body injury. Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk is also expected to return to the lineup. He has been dealing with an upper-body injury as well.
Laviolette was unsure of the status of both players for the game following the morning skate. Both players have been out of the lineup since March 18.