Projected lineups for Capitals, Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals will attempt to at least maintain -- and perhaps add to -- their slim lead atop the Southeast Division when they host the reeling Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night at Verizon Center.

The Capitals begin play Thursday two points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets, who are hosting the Florida Panthers. Forwards Joel Ward, Martin Erat and Brooks Laich all remain out with injuries.

Here are the projected lineups for the Capitals and Hurricanes:

CAPITALS

Marcus Johansson – Nicklas Backstrom – Alex Ovechkin

Aaron Volpatti – Mike Ribeiro – Troy Brouwer

Eric Fehr – Mathieu Perreault – Jason Chimera

Wojtek Wolski – Jay Beagle – Matt Hendricks

Karl Alzner – Mike Green

John Erskine – John Carlson

Jack Hillen – Steve Oleksy

Braden Holtby

Michal Neuvirth

HURRICANES

Jiri Tlusty – Eric Staal – Alexander Semin

Jeff Skinner – Jordan Staal – Tuomo Ruutu

Tim Wallace – Riley Nash – Chad LaRose

Nicolas Blanchard – Kevin Westgarth

Tim Gleason – Justin Faulk

Jay Harrison – Joe Corvo

Bobby Sanguinetti – Jamie McBain

Marc-Andre Bergeron

Justin Peters

Dan Ellis