Capitals Notebook: Roy Injury Update With Defenseman Unlikely To Play In Home Opener, Line Changes & What It Means For Leonard

Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy is unlikely to play in the home opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins due to a day-to-day lower-body injury. Roy missed Tuesday's practice, and head coach Spencer Carbery stated that he will need significant improvement to dress. In Roy's absence, Dylan McIlrath is set to enter the lineup alongside Cole Hutson as Carbery adjusts the defensive pairs.

Along with defensive adjustments, Carbery reshuffled Washington's forward lines. Anthony Beauvillier moves to the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, while Ryan Leonard shifts to skate with Justin Sourdif and Boone Jenner to increase his defensive deployment. Carbery stressed the adjustment is not a demotion for Leonard, who has one goal in two games.