The Devils have struggled against Washington this season, posting an 0-2-0 record so far against the Caps, who are in first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils are close behind in the playoff race, just five points behind.
"They're top in our division right now," Keith Kinkaid said. "It's a big game for both teams. They can separate themselves or we can inch closer, and we have just got to worry about our game one period at a time and one shift at a time."
Coach John Hynes said he isn't looking at the standings. He's more concerned about the way his team has matched up against the Capitals so far this season.
"You know, what I'd like them to embrace," Hynes said. "We got beat 5-2 by this team twice. We haven't really given them a game yet, so to me it's not so much about all those other future things. We're playing a team that's beaten us twice 5-2, last time we played them they outskated us and out played us all over the rink."
Hynes will stick with the lineup that posted a victory against the Islanders on Tuesday night. Blake Coleman will remain out as a healthy scratch while Keith Kinkaid has earned his second consecutive start.
"It shows the faith in me," Kinkaid said. "It shows the faith in the team. We're ready to battle. We have to build off last game and come out the same way. We have yet to give these guys our best game so we have got to leave it all out there tonight."
The rest of the lineup will look as follows:
Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Johansson-Zajac-Stafford
Wood-Zacha-Palmieri
Gibbons-Boyle-Noesen
Greene-Vatanen
Moore-Severson
Butcher-Lovejoy
Goaltender Cory Schneider, who was sick on Tuesday, is healthy enough to back up Kinkaid.
Prior to Thursday's morning skate, the Devils sent defensemen Mirco Mueller to the Binghamton Devils on a conditioning stint.
Mueller has been out of the lineup with a broken clavicle since Nov. 12, an injury that required surgery.
