Capitals’ Dowd Activated, Set to Return Against Sharks

The Washington Capitals are poised to receive a significant enhancement to their roster as Nic Dowd has been activated from injured reserve. His return comes ahead of the upcoming game against the San Jose Sharks.

Nic Dowd’s Return

Dowd has been sidelined for eight games due to an upper-body injury. He last appeared on the ice on November 17, where he logged 19:21 minutes of play against the Los Angeles Kings. In the 19 games he participated in this season, he has recorded one goal, four assists, and a plus/minus rating of plus-2.

Impact on Team Lineup

With Dowd back, the team’s head coach, Carbery, will need to make adjustments to the current forward lines. These lines have demonstrated solid chemistry recently. It is unlikely that key players Justin Sourdif and Connor McMichael will be moved from their positions. Instead, players who have seen reduced ice time, such as Sonny Milano and Hendrix Lapierre, may find themselves displaced. Lapierre has been filling in as the fourth-line center during Dowd’s absence, while also capable of playing wing.

Game Details

The Capitals are gearing up for their match against the Sharks. This game marks the second in a series of consecutive back-to-back games during a busy road trip in California. The puck is set to drop at 10 p.m. ET. The Capitals secured a victory over the Kings the previous night, winning 3-1.

As Dowd rejoins the lineup, the Capitals aim to build on their recent success and improve their standing in the league.