The Washington Capitals face lineup adjustments ahead of their Halloween matchup against the Montreal Canadiens due to defensive absences. Key defenders Matt Roy and Jakob Chychrun will not be available, forcing head coach Spencer Carbery to reconfigure his defensive pairings.
This situation has opened up an opportunity for Alex Alexeyev, who will make his season debut after being a healthy scratch for the first eight games. Alexeyev, who missed a recent practice due to the birth of his child, is set to join the team’s third pairing against Montreal alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk, although Carbery hinted that in-game adjustments might be necessary.
Alexeyev, a 24-year-old defenseman, is looking to make a mark after a career-high 39 games last season and participating in all four playoff games against the New York Rangers. However, offseason changes to Washington’s defense roster limited his chances to play early this season. Carbery expects Alexeyev to provide “solid, reliable minutes,” emphasizing defensive fundamentals and consistency. For his debut, the team’s expectations are focused on responsible play, including effective puck management and defensive positioning.
Carbery highlighted Alexeyev’s ability to adapt quickly despite irregular playing time, a skill he’s developed over his four-season NHL career. Carbery attributes this to Alexeyev’s mental resilience and his clear understanding of his role, which emphasizes reliable defense rather than high-risk maneuvers. Known for adapting well to high-pressure situations, Alexeyev aims to maintain composure and contribute steady minutes without attempting anything outside his usual style.
With Roy and Chychrun absent, the Capitals’ defensive structure has been adjusted: Martin Fehervary, who led the team in ice time during their previous game, will join John Carlson on the top pairing. Meanwhile, Rasmus Sandin will pair up with Dylan McIlrath on the second line. These new configurations aim to maintain stability on the ice and compensate for the missing defenders as the Capitals seek a strong showing against Montreal.
On offense, Carbery is keeping the same forward lineup that delivered a solid performance against the New York Rangers. Mike Sgarbossa remains the third-line center, though his line struggled in their previous game, managing only a single high-danger scoring chance.
In goal, Charlie Lindgren is expected to start, aiming to rebound from his last outing, a 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canadiens enter the game with a 4-5-1 record, coming off a tough 8-2 defeat to the Seattle Kraken, and have allowed four or more goals in six of their ten games, suggesting potential scoring opportunities for Washington.
