Capitals reshuffle lines and power play units with Pierre-Luc Dubois sidelined

Dubois, who was ruled out long term on Monday with a lower-body injury, leaves a major hole down the middle. In his absence, Connor McMichael continued skating in the second-line center spot, while Hendrix Lapierre gets another crack at the third line center.

At practice, the biggest focus was on special teams. Reporter Tom Gulitti shared the new power play formations:

PP1: John Carlson, Jakob Chychrun, Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome
PP2: Rasmus Sandin, Anthony Beauvillier, Connor McMichael, Ryan Leonard, Sonny Milano

The first unit remains anchored by Ovechkin's one-timer and Carlson's point shot, but it's the second group drawing curiosity. With Sandin back in full contact and quarterbacking the top of PP2, Washington finally has a true puck-mover running its secondary setup.

Sandin's return from an upper-body injury couldn't come at a better time. Before getting hurt, he was averaging 21 minutes a night and led all Capitals defensemen in zone exit success rate. His vision and ability to keep plays alive at the blue line could give the second unit the control it's been missing.

Beauvillier and Leonard bring movement and net-front energy, while Milano's creativity on the half-wall pairs well with McMichael's quick release. It's a group built less on star power and more on chemistry - something Washington needs right now.

Here's Gulitti's tweet outlining the setup:

The Capitals may still be adjusting to life without Dubois, but with Sandin back and new energy on the power play, there's at least some reason to believe better balance is coming.