Blues and Capitals Face Off: Projected Lineups and Game Preview

The St. Louis Blues visit the Washington Capitals tonight, November 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. Both teams are looking to build on recent performances, with the Blues aiming to start a winning streak after snapping a seven-game losing skid and the Capitals hoping to break a four-game winless streak.

Blues Projected Lineup

Coach Jim Montgomery is making a couple of changes to the lineup despite the Blues' recent win against the Edmonton Oilers. Nathan Walker will return to the fourth line, and Logan Mailloux will be back on defense. Montgomery emphasized the importance of physicality against a team like Washington, highlighting what Walker and Mailloux bring to the team.

Based on Wednesday's practice, the projected lineup for the Blues is as follows:

• Forwards:
  • Pavel Buchnevich - Robert Thomas - Jimmy Snuggerud
  • Brayden Schenn - Pius Suter - Jordan Kyrou
  • Dylan Holloway - Dalibor Dvorsky - Oskar Sundqvist
  • Alexey Toropchenko - Nick Bjugstad - Nathan Walker
• Defense:
  • Cam Fowler - Colton Parayko
  • Tyler Tucker - Justin Faulk
  • Philip Broberg - Logan Mailloux

Capitals Projected Lineup

The Capitals, on the other hand, are dealing with the absence of Dubois, which will force coach Carbery to shuffle the forward lines. The team is also hoping for a spark from key players like Alex Ovechkin, who has had a relatively slow start to the season. However, there is a silver lining as defenseman Rasmus Sandin is expected to return after missing five games due to an upper-body injury.

The projected lineup for the Capitals is:

• Forwards:
  • Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Anthony Beauvillier
  • Aliaksei Protas – Connor McMichael – Tom Wilson
  • Sonny Milano – Hendrix Lapierre – Ryan Leonard
  • Brandon Duhaime – Nic Dowd – Justin Sourdif
• Defense:
  • TBD

Keys to the Game

The Blues are coming off a morale-boosting win against the Oilers, where Dalibor Dvorsky scored his first NHL goal and Robert Thomas made a successful return from injury. Pius Suter's game-winning goal also highlighted his strong performance this season, as he leads the team in points and plus/minus.

For the Capitals, finding ways to generate offense will be crucial. Connor McMichael acknowledged the team's struggles to score and the need to find different solutions. The return of Rasmus Sandin should provide a boost to the defense.

What to Watch For

• Robert Thomas's Impact: After missing four games, Thomas's return has already made a difference for the Blues. His playmaking ability and offensive presence will be vital.
• Ovechkin Watch: All eyes will be on Alex Ovechkin as he looks to ignite his scoring touch and lead the Capitals' offense.
• Physicality: Coach Montgomery has emphasized the need for physicality, so expect a hard-fought game between these two teams.

The game will be broadcast on TNT and HBO.