BALLSTON, Va. - Based on Saturday's morning skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the Washington Capitals' lineup against the Ottawa Senators should look like this:
Ovechkin - Backstrom - Brouwer
Semin - Johansson - Knuble
Chimera - Laich - Ward
Hendricks - Halpern - Perreault - King
Tomas Vokoun will get the start for the third consecutive game, while Dany Sabourin, called up Saturday from AHL Hershey, will back him up. Mathieu Perreault stayed out on the ice longer than any forward, usually denoting a healthy scratch. Yet, head coach Bruce Boudreau said that both Perreault and D.J. King will take warm-ups before Saturday's game and a game-time decision will be made on who plays.
Michal Neuvirth did not join his teammates when Saturday's morning skate began, but did participate later on, stretching and taking shots from teammates. Neuvirth seemed to be moving gingerly as he performed drills, but Boudreau noted that it was his first time on the ice in four days.
"It's his first time on the ice," Boudreau said. "All it is is taking it slow. Don't read anything more into it than it is."
Boudreau also provided an update on Jay Beagle, who did not skate Saturday and hasn't since leaving Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins after his fight with Arron Asham.
"We're just being overly cautious," Boudreau said. "If Jay had his way, he'd be out there practicing. He's fine, all the things are fine."