Scott Darling will start in goal for the Blackhawks as they play in the second game of their back-to-back against the Washington Capitals at the Verzion Center.
Darling was victorious in his first start of the season, stopping 28 shots in Saturday’s 4-1 win against the New York Islanders. He has never faced the Capitals before.
The Blackhawks (2-2) dropped the first game of the back-to-back, 3-0, to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. It was the first time the Blackhawks were shut out this season, and gave up their first power-play goal.
Chicago dropped both games against the Capitals (1-1) last season by a 3-2 decision, including the 2015 Winter Classic at Nationals Park. Corey Crawford was in net for both games. The Capitals have won three straight and six of eight in the series, as well as four in a row at home.
The Blackhawks did not hold a morning skate, so line pairings are not unavailable.
The Capitals enter the contest after being shut out 5-0 by the San Jose Sharks. It was the first game since 2012 the Capitals were without Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in the lineup. Ovechkin was scratched for oversleeping the morning skate, while Backstrom is still recovering from hip surgery he had in May.
Capitals coach Barry Tortz has decided to shake things up to energize his team.
Forward Chandler Stephenson was recalled by the Capitals from Hershey of the AHL and will make his NHL debut. Stephenson will likely center the fourth line with Brooks Laich and Stanislav Galiev. He replaces Michael Latta.
Taylor Chorney will make his season debut on the Capitals’ blue line, replacing Nate Schmidt on the third pairing.
Braden Holty will start in net for the Capitals. He is 1-1 with a 3.13 goals-against average and .889 save percentage this season.
Here’s the Capitals’ lineup:
Ovechkin-Kuzenetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Burakovsky-Williams
Chimera-Beagle-Wilson
Laich-Stephenson-Galiev
Orpik-Carlson
Niskanen-Alzner
Chorney-Orlov
How to watch
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
TV: CSN