New line combinations with Pierre-Luc Dubois' return to the lineup

After missing time, Dubois skated in a regular jersey and reclaimed his middle-ice role between Aliaksei Protas and rookie Ryan Leonard. Coach Spencer Carbery's new lines show a clear effort to spread the offense and add structure down the middle.

The top line stayed familiar: Alex Ovechkin on the left, Dylan Strome in the middle, and newcomer Anthony Beauvillier on the right. It's a trio built for possession and finishing chances, especially if Beauvillier keeps up his tempo alongside Ovechkin's steady net presence.

Protas, Dubois & Leonard are a combination that could grind opponents down while still threatening off the rush. Dubois's ability to win faceoffs and hold the puck low gives that line real two-way potential.

The third line, though, was untouched for good reason. Hendrix Lapierre, Connor McMichael, and Tom Wilson were excellent last game, combining for steady forechecking pressure and multiple high-danger looks. Carbery rewarded them by keeping the trio intact, calling their chemistry «a bright spot» after Monday's session. Fans have echoed that sentiment, noting how McMichael's confidence has finally started to show.

The fourth unit saw one small tweak. Justin Sourdif who played last game at center will most likely be slotted into Frank's spot beside Nic Dowd and Brandon Duhaime, giving that group a younger, quicker edge while preserving its defensive reliability.

On defense, the pairs remained steady: Martin Fehervary with John Carlson, Jakob Chychrun with Matt Roy, and Declan Chisholm alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk. Rasmus Sandin didn't skate due to an upper-body injury, so Dylan McIlrath filled in as the extra.

With Dubois back, Carbery suddenly has options. The Capitals can now run three legitimate scoring lines without leaning too heavily on the top unit. If this balance holds, Washington's offense might finally start to find consistency game to game.

For now, Dubois's full-time return at center feels like a turning point. The Capitals have depth again, and that might be exactly what they need to spark a stronger November.