Capitals morning skate: Desharnais is practicing, Lindgren will start against the Devils and the dads are starting to arrive for the mentors’ trip

The Washington Capitals (10-7-0) return home for a rematch against the New Jersey Devils (14-6-0), looking to avenge their 5-2 loss in Newark two nights earlier.

The Capitals will get another chance against one of the hottest teams in the Metropolitan Division after Thursday’s hotly contested game slipped away in the third period. The Caps led 2-1 in the second period before giving up four unanswered goals, including one into an empty net.

“We can’t give them an unannounced run, free chances, breakaways,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said after the team’s morning skate Saturday. “And then the other thing is through the neutral zone, especially with the 86 line, especially with the Hischier line, is you have to be careful.”

The Devils have won six of their last seven games and 10 of their last 12 games, with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck remaining undefeated (6-0-0) since joining New Jersey.

“Offensively, I think we could do a little better job on Hellebuyck,” Carbery said. “We had a few second chance opportunities, but we have to go for it. We have to make it difficult for him.”

Saturday’s optional morning skate at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex brought several notable developments, including a positive injury update, a change in the Caps’ goaltending plans and special visitors ahead of the team’s annual mentor trip.

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Vincent Desharnais returns to practice after appendix surgery

Vincent Desharnais took another important step in his recovery Saturday morning, skating with his teammates for the first time since he underwent an appendectomy on October 23.

Desharnais and Rasmus Sandin, who is recovering from knee surgery in April, wore light blue non-contact jerseys, participating in the full morning workout and staying out for additional work. Sandin began training again on October 31.

“Yeah, it’s great. Positive steps,” Carbery said. “Sandy continues to get closer, and now Vinny being on the ice with the guys is a good step.”

The 6-foot-7 defenseman was out for more than three weeks after undergoing the emergency procedure. He was initially expected to be out four to six weeks.

Desharnais made his first appearance on the ice on November 2, watching the end of practice from the bench. He then returned to individual skating on November 9, before the team’s trip to Ottawa and New Jersey.

Charlie Lindgren will replace Logan Thompson

Charlie Lindgren will get the nod for Washington against the Devils, marking just his second start of the season in a game that isn’t part of a back-to-back set.

Charlie Lindgren’s 2026-2027 Season Stats

This start is a departure from how Spencer Carbery has generally used his two goaltenders this season, typically deploying Logan Thompson for the majority of the workload when the team has a day or more off.

“I think with the amount of games LT has been playing lately, I felt like it was a good opportunity to get Chucky in, and Scott Murray and the goalie are planning how we find opportunities to get Chucky in the net,” Carbery said. “So this is the day it falls.”

Thompson has started Washington’s last five games, while Lindgren hasn’t started since Oct. 29 against the Nashville Predators.

Capitals dads arrive for mentor trip

The Capitals also welcomed some special visitors Saturday, as players’ loved ones began arriving in Washington ahead of the team’s annual mentor trip. The trip officially begins Sunday, when Washington travels to Tampa before Tuesday’s game against the Lightning, but several players’ mentors also plan to attend Saturday’s game.

This annual tradition offers players the opportunity to bring their fathers and other important people in their lives on the road, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the NHL experience.

The Capitals are scheduled to practice in Tampa on Monday afternoon before facing the Lightning the following evening.

Projected compositions

Washington Capitals

New Jersey Devils

The Devils will also monitor the health of Brett Pesce, who missed Thursday’s game due to illness. New Jersey recalled defenseman Anton Silaev, 20, from the Utica Comets on Friday following Johnathan Kovacevic’s placement on injured reserve.

Fun facts

• Saturday marks the third of four meetings between the Capitals and Devils this season. Washington won the first game 4-2 on October 17 before New Jersey responded with a 5-2 victory on Thursday.
• Three players recalled from the AHL’s Utica Comets before Thursday’s game — Lenni Hameenaho, Stefan Noesen and Vladislav Kolyachonok — scored goals against Washington. Kolyachonok’s goal in the third period proved to be the game-winner.
• The Capitals are 7-4-0 at home this season, while the Devils have won 10 of their last 12 games overall.
• Exactly three years ago today, Lindgren stopped all 35 shots he faced as Washington beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at Capital One Arena. It was his first shutout in the capital and the third of his NHL career.
• On this day in Capitals history (November 14, 1979), the Caps named 26-year-old Gary Green as head coach, making him the youngest head coach in NHL history at the time.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will have the call on Monumental Sports Network.