Multiple players questionable for capitals tonight

Morning skate brought a flu vibe, with a few Caps under the weather. Tom Gulitti said Hendrix Lapierre and Matt Roy did not skate, and Spencer Carbery hinted 12 forwards was doubtful.

If Washington goes 11 forwards and seven defensemen, expect shorter forward shifts and more double shifting for the top six. The tradeoff is less continuity, and tired legs can show on the backcheck.

Logan Thompson is confirmed to start Thursday, and he has steadied Washington during a rough scoring stretch. He is 13-7-3 with a 2.09 GAA and .922 save percentage in 23 games, per Daily Faceoff.

Mike Vogel's preview has the Caps at 18-11-4, but only six five on five goals in their last five games. Against Toronto's quick exits, clean breakouts matter, because one bad rim becomes a slot chance.

As a fan, I like the creativity, but I hate that it arrives with a bug going around. If the Caps do it, the seventh defenseman can keep pressure on exits and freshen the kill.

Hendrix Lapierre is 23, and Washington took him 22nd overall in 2020. If he cannot go, it is one less center who can skate pucks through the neutral zone.

Matt Roy is 30, a 2015 seventh rounder at 194th overall, and he has quietly become a minutes sponge. If his spot is shaky, watch for simpler breakouts and fewer pinches until the group settles.

Toronto is expected to start Dennis Hildeby, so the Caps should test him early with traffic. Warmups will tell us if Thursday is a 7D scramble, or a normal lineup that needs goals.