Smith scored a goal on four shots in the Capitals' 5-1 loss to the Lightning on Thursday.
Smith shot a puck off Andrei Vasilevskiy to cut the Lightning's lead to 2-1. That would be the closest the Capitals would get to tying the game, however, as they coughed up three goals in the third to drop a 5-1 contest. This goal snaps an 11-game point drought for the former Bruin as he looks to get back on track offensively. On the season, Smith has seven goals and 13 points in 58 games.
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Capitals' Darcy Kuemper: Coughs up four in loss
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Kuemper stopped 29 of 33 shots in the Capitals' 5-1 loss to the Lightning on Thursday.
Kuemper was beaten twice in the first period and twice in the third period to ultimately drop a 5-1 contest. This game gives Kuemper a loss or overtime loss in five of his last six games as he has only picked up a win in two of his last nine starts. On the season, Kuemper has a 21-24-6 record with a 2.75 GAA and a .912 save percentage.
Oshie won't return to Thursday's game against Tampa Bay because of an upper-body injury.
Before exiting the contest, Oshie had a minus-1 rating and a shot in 6:07 of ice time. He was held off the scoresheet in his previous three outings and five of his past six appearances. Going into Thursday's action, Oshie recorded 19 goals and 35 points in 57 games. It remains to be seen if he'll be available Sunday versus the Rangers.
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Capitals' Darcy Kuemper: Expected to start vs. Tampa Bay
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Kuemper is expected to start on the road against Tampa Bay on Thursday, Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post reports.
Kuemper will be playing on no rest after stopping 28 of 29 shots through overtime in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Islanders on Wednesday. He has a 21-23-6 record, 2.72 GAA and .912 save percentage in 51 contests this season. The Lightning have the 10th-ranked offense with 3.39 goals per game in 2022-23.
Kuemper stopped 28 of 29 shots through overtime in Wednesday's 2-1 shootout loss to the Islanders.
Kuemper failed to finish off his strong performance, as he allowed goals on both of the Islanders' shootout attempts, thus wasting a valuable opportunity to make up more ground in the wild card race. The Capitals are 10 points back of the Islanders and five points behind the Penguins, who hold the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Washington's also four points back of the ninth-place Panthers, but Kuemper will likely see a heavy workload as long as the Caps remain mathematically in contention.
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Capitals' Craig Smith: Good to play Wednesday
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Smith (lower body) is expected to play Wednesday versus the Islanders, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Smith has six goals and 12 points in 56 appearances this season. He left Monday's game due to the injury, but he didn't end up missing a full contest. Smith is projected to play alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha.
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Capitals' Darcy Kuemper: Set to start Wednesday
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Kuemper is slated to be in goal against the Islanders at home Wednesday.
Kuemper has given up four goals in three of his last four contests, resulting in a 1-3-0 record and 3.32 GAA. With the Caps falling further and further behind in the race for a Wild Card spot, Kuemper could see some starts given to Charlie Lindgren down the stretch but will remain the preferred option in goal heading into the final games of the season.
Dowd will miss Tuesday's practice for maintenance reasons, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Dowd's availability for a crucial showdown against the Islanders does not appear to be in jeopardy, but further updates are likely forthcoming following Wednesday's morning skate. The 32-year-old has posted a career-high 13 goals and 25 points in 60 games this season.
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Capitals' Craig Smith: Dealing with lower-body injury
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Smith left Monday's practice early because of a lower-body injury, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Smith also didn't play in the third period Saturday in Washington's 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh. His availability for Wednesday's contest against the Islanders hasn't been determined yet. Smith has registered two goals, 25 shots on net, eight blocked shots and eight hits in 14 outings with the Capitals since being acquired from Boston.
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Capitals' Darcy Kuemper: Makes 36 saves in loss to Penguins
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Kuemper allowed four goals on 40 shots in a 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Kuemper has faced at least 40 shots in four of his nine contests in March. He has managed to save 149 of 161 over those four busy games, but the 32-year-old still got just one win out of those starts. Through 50 appearances in 2022-23, Kuemper has a 21-23-5 record, 2.74 GAA and .911 save percentage.
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Capitals' Tom Wilson: Scores ninth goal of season
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Wilson supplied a goal in a 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Wilson has been held off the scoresheet just once over his last four games, providing a goal and five points in that span. Overall in 2022-23, Wilson has nine markers and 16 points in 25 appearances. His latest goal came early in the third period to narrow Pittsburgh's lead to 3-1. It was the first step in a three-goal rally from Washington to tie the contest, though the Capitals still ended up losing.
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Capitals' Dylan Strome: Has two-point game
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Strome provided a goal and an assist in Washington's 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Strome's helper came while Washington had the man advantage. He's up to 18 goals and 57 points in 73 outings this season, including 19 power-play points. Strome is on a four-game scoring streak with two markers and seven points in that span.
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Capitals' Alex Ovechkin: Scores against Pittsburgh in loss
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Ovechkin scored a goal in a 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Washington's hopes of making the playoffs are quickly fading, but Ovechkin has been doing everything in his power to bolster the Capitals. The 37-year-old's on a four-game goal-scoring streak, and he's provided six markers and 11 points over his last seven outings. Ovechkin has 42 goals and 72 points in 68 contests this season. Saturday's marker was also the 822nd of his career, putting him 72 away from Wayne Gretzky.
Kuemper is set to guard the road crease against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Kuemper made 27 saves in Washington's 6-1 victory over Chicago on Thursday. He has a 21-22-5 record, 2.74 GAA and .911 save percentage in 49 outings this season. Pittsburgh has the 16th-ranked offense with 3.19 goals per game in 2022-23.
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Capitals' Sonny Milano: Set to miss time
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Milano (upper body) will not play Saturday against the Penguins, Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post reports.
Milano -- who has three goals and nine points in his last 11 games-- is expected to miss at least a week with the injury as Washington readies for a crucial showdown against the Penguins without one of its most dynamic offensive players. Nicolas Aube-Kubel is expected to draw into the lineup Saturday.
