The Capitals NEED to win Friday night! Miro looks to be in Friday night. In it to win it Charlie

The Washington Capitals are looking to jump start their sputtering offense heading into Game 3 of their first round playoff series against the Rangers, and it appears coach Peter Laviolette is ready to shake up his forward lines in an effort to generate more scoring. If Thursday’s practice was any indication, it seems rookie winger Ivan Miroshnichenko will slot into the lineup on the fourth line, replacing veteran grinder Nicolas Aube-Kubel on right wing. Aube-Kubel was relegated to working with the scratches after practice, a clear sign his spot is in jeopardy.

Laviolette has kept his lineup intact through the first two games, both losses, but with the team now facing a pivotal Game 3 at home, the urgency to simply secure a win has reached a fever pitch. Miroshnichenko brings an intriguing mix of speed, tenacity and physicality that could provide a much-needed spark. “His speed was on display and he was tenacious all over the ice on the puck,” Laviolette noted after practice. The 19-year-old rookie has seen spot duty with the Caps this season when called up from the AHL, and while throwing a young, inexperienced player into the fire in the playoffs is always a gamble, the Caps have very few options left to try and revive their scuffling offense.

Captain Alex Ovechkin has yet to make an impact through two games, mustering just one shot on goal as the Panthers have made stopping him a focus. Ovechkin acknowledged something seems “a little bit off” but tried to project a calm confidence things would turn around on home ice. “We just have to calm down. Yeah, we’re a young team, but we still have an experienced team, you know,” he said. “We have to calm down, play simple with the puck, don’t think about it too much, and it will come.” Ovechkin’s longtime linemate T.J. Oshie has also struggled, as the duo have combined for just two shots at even strength. With the Caps’ playoff lives on the line and the series shifting back to Washington, the team will look to their captain to lead the way offensively. But Ovechkin will need help, and Miroshnichenko will have a chance to provide it and potentially give the Caps the critical victory they need to get back in the series.

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