The Washington Capitals are set to face off against the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7:00 PM ET at the Prudential Center. Here's a look at the projected lineups and what to expect from both teams.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals, currently holding a record of 19-13-5, are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. They've struggled recently, allowing an average of 4 goals per game in their last five contests.

Here's the projected lineup for the Capitals:

• Forwards:
  • Connor McMichael - Justin Sourdif - Alex Ovechkin
  • Aliaksei Protas - Dylan Strome - Tom Wilson
  • Ryan Leonard - Nic Dowd - Ethen Frank
  • Brandon Duhaime - Hendrix Lapierre - Anthony Beauvillier
• Defense:
  • Martin Fehervary - John Carlson

Key players to watch for the Capitals include Connor McMichael, who previously scored a goal and an assist against the Devils in November. Tom Wilson's return to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game due to illness could also provide a boost. Goaltender Logan Thompson is expected to start, despite a recent dip in form. Thompson holds a 14-9-3 record with a .917 save percentage and a 2.24 goals-against average for the season.

Pierre-Luc Dubois is currently injured with a lower-body injury. Dylan McIlrath, Declan Chisholm, and Sonny Milano are expected to be scratched.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils, with a 20-16-1 record, are also trying to break a two-game losing streak. They've struggled to score recently, averaging just 1.4 goals per game in their last five.

Here's the projected lineup for the Devils:

• Forwards:
  • Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer
  • Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
  • Arseny Gritsyuk - Cody Glass - Connor Brown
  • Paul Cotter - Luke Glendening - Stefan Noesen
• Defense:
  • Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
  • Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce
  • Brenden Dillon - Colton White

Jack Hughes's recent return from a finger injury is a significant development for the Devils. Despite missing a substantial amount of time, he remains tied for the team lead in goals. Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen have been splitting time in goal for the Devils.

Injuries for the Devils include Zack MacEwen (lower body), Jonathan Kovacevic (knee), Evgenii Dadonov (wrist), and Simon Nemec (lower body). Dennis Cholowski, Juho Lammikko, and Angus Crookshank are expected to be scratched.

Keys to the Game

The game is crucial for both teams as they battle for position in the competitive Metropolitan Division. The Capitals need to tighten up defensively and reduce penalties, while the Devils need to find ways to generate more offense. Special teams could also play a significant role, with both teams looking to capitalize on power-play opportunities.