Need to Know: Bruins at Capitals

WASHINGTON - The Bruins will be looking to bring the Tampa Bay heat with them to D.C. as they take on the Capitals tonight at Capital One Arena. The Bruins will be without Nick Folingo, who left Saturday's game with a lower body injury, as well as Tomas Nosek and Jake DeBrusk who remain in COVID-19 protocol.
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

McAvoy Likely To Return

"McAvoy looked good this morning, we'll get through morning skate..but looks like he'll be back in," said Bruce Cassidy.
McAvoy was a game time decision for Saturday's game, and ultimately did not see game action. If all goes as planned, McAvoy will skate alongside Matt Grzelcyk tonight. If not, either Urho Vaakanainen or John Moore will slide in. McAvoy is currently tied with Patrice Bergeron for the second most assists on the Bruins this season with 15. Brad Marchand leads with 19.

Kuhlman In, Foligno Out; Steen Remains

Karson Kuhlman will skate with Anton Blidh and Curtis Lazar in place of Nick Folingo, who will is out with a lower body injury suffered in Tampa on Saturday. This is Kuhlman's first game back since being placed on COVID-19 protocol on New Year's Day. Kuhlman has one goal on the season that was back in October vs. the Flyers.
Oskar Steen has been an impressive add to the B's lineup since joining the taxi squad on Jan 4th. Steen, who potted his first NHL goal just a day later at TD Garden vs. the Devils, will remain in the lineup as the third-line right wing alongside Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic, who slides up with the injury to Foligno. "Every night he's trying to impact the game and has done a good job," said Cassidy.

DeBrusk Cleared to Practice

Jake DeBrusk is expected to be cleared from COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday and skate at Warrior Ice Arena with the possibilty of playing in Wednesday's game vs Montreal at TD Garden, per Cassidy.

Opposing View:

The Caps are coming off a very busy stretch. Tonight will be their third game in the past four nights with the past two not ending in their favor, including a shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
The Bruins fell to the Capitals in OT back on October 6th in a preseason matchup, but tonight's game will be the first of three meetings this season. The Caps are led by Alex Ovechkin who has 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points. David Pastrnak, who shared the Rocket Richrard Trophy with Ovechkin two seasons ago, offered his praise of the Caps captain ahead of tonight's matchup.
"There probably won't be such a good goal scorer ever again in this game, so it's nice to suit up and play against him," said Pastrnak.
Cassidy also recognized the challenge of playing against such a great player, saying simply that Ovechking "just doesn't miss often."
The Capitals are currently 20-7-9 and the Bruins at 18-11-2.