Washington Capitals News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Thompson Gets Nod Against Former Team; McIlrath Will Play

Originally posted on Washington Hockey Now
By Nathan Moser | Last updated 10/14/24

The Washington Capitals will face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at Capital One Arena. The team looks to bounce back after losing their home opener to the New Jersey Devils 5-3.

Logan Thompson Facing Former Team

One of Washington’s players familiar with the Golden Knights is goalie Logan Thompson. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery announced that Thompson will make his Washington debut against his former team on Tuesday. Thompson was one of Vegas’ netminders from the 2020-21 campaign until 2023-24. He played 103 games for the club and produced a record of 56-32-11. Thompson posted a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.67 and a save percentage (SV%) of .912. He also accrued four shutouts. The Golden Knights traded him to Washington in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick on June 29.

McIlrath Takes Roy’s Place

Capitals defenseman Matt Roy left Saturday’s game against the Devils with what Carbery said was a lower-body injury. He is listed as day-to-day, but the blueliner could miss some time. Former Hershey Bears captain Dylan McIlrath is inserted into the lineup. He was a leader for the Bears during their back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024. He was one of the stories during training camp. McIlrath earned his spot and now will make his NHL debut for the 2024-25 campaign.

McIlrath has played in 75 career NHL games between the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Washington. In that span, he has scored three goals and registered four assists for seven points.

Vrana’s Possible Season Debut

One of the other notable changes ahead for the Vegas game is that forward Jakub Vrana will potentially make his Capitals debut on Tuesday. The third line of Sonny Milano, Hendrix Lapierre, and Aliaksei Protas had a tough night against New Jersey on Saturday. They were on the ice for three of the five Devils goals. During his postgame press conference, Carbery discussed the third line’s struggles Saturday and why they were not out there as much later in the game. He said, “I was trying to help them. I mean, the first three shifts they stepped on the ice and it’s in the back of their net. So it’s a tough night. I mean you can look at the goals that they were on for…You can break little things down that happened. Sometimes you have those nights and no matter what you do and no matter how hard you try, it ends up going the other way and that was what I felt like for that line tonight…”

Vrana took Milano’s place in the projected lineup. He has been another story for the team ever since he signed his professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the Capitals in August. Vrana won a roster spot and signed a one-year contract with his old club. He previously played in 284 games during his first stint in D.C., where he scored 76 goals and recorded 81 assists for 157 points. Vrana was also a member of Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.

This article first appeared on Washington Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: