Dylan McIlrath will play for the Capitals in place of the injured Nick Jensen

Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath will dress for only his second game of the 2023-24 season on Monday evening.

The sturdy defensive player will move straight into the team lineup after being recalled on Sunday morning. McIlrath will replace Nick Jensen on the right side of the Capitals defense after Jensen was injured following a terrible hit against the Tampa Bay Lightning and missed the final two games of the regular season.

“[McIlrath’s] “I was up here and played a game for us earlier this year,” Carbery said Sunday. “I think given the type of opponents we're going to play, I think it makes a lot of sense. I think from a leadership experience perspective, coming into situations like that and not letting the moment get the better of you, I think he’s the right fit for him as well.”

The test against Boston is another must-win for the Capitals if they want to make the playoffs. McIlrath won't be unprepared for the pressure, having played in an NHL playoff game and captaining the Hershey Bears in the 2023 Calder Cup last year. He has nine points (3g, 6a) in 58 games for the Bears this season.

“It’s exciting,” McIlrath said Sunday. “It's exactly what you dream of as a kid, playing in these big, important games. Whatever my role is, I will enjoy it all. It was a long journey, I definitely gained a lot of experience.”

One skate at a time#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/cqJdOPkziE

– Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 15, 2024

RMNB's projected lines

The fact that the Capitals will be without Jensen for the final 40 minutes on Saturday night presents even more problems on the back end, as the team is already without Rasmus Sandin and Ethan Bear. Spencer Carbery leaned heavily on his top defensive pairing, giving Martin Fehervary a career-high 27:06 of ice time and John Carlson a team-high 27:25.

Alex Alexeyev (21:42) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (21:28) also ran over 21 minutes. TVR will move to the left side of one of the pairings on Monday evening to accommodate McIlrath's arrival (right-handed).

“Things will change, without a doubt,” Carbery said Monday. “Minute-wise it will increase like you saw in the last game. Marty will play a little more, Al will play a little more, Riemer will play a little more. John will likely stick with the minute allotment he played all season. These guys have to share a small part of the load. Vinny Iorio will probably play a little more than he has in the last half dozen games or so. It will be a shared responsibility. Will not be worn by a man.”

Lucas Johansen is said to be the only healthy scratch on the backend. He will once again sit in the press box alongside Ivan Miroshnichenko and Mike Sgarbossa.

Charlie Lindgren will be the starting goaltender, making his fifth consecutive start and seventh overall in April. Lindgren pitched an 18-save shutout against the Bruins on February 10th.

The Bruins come into play Monday night after handing the Pittsburgh Penguins a regulation loss that allowed the Capitals to jump over the Penguins into the second wild card spot. The Capitals lost to Boston in a shootout 3-2 in their last game and are 1-0-1 overall against them this season.