The Capitals NEED to win Friday night! Miroshnichenko looks to be in Friday night. In it to win it Charlie

The Washington Capitals are looking to jump start their sputtering offense heading into Game 3 of their first round playoff series against the New York Rangers , and it appears coach Peter Laviolette is ready to shake up his forward lines in an effort to generate more scoring. If Thursday's practice was any indication, it seems rookie winger Ivan Miroshnichenko will slot into the lineup on the fourth line, replacing veteran grinder Nicolas Aube-Kubel on right wing. Aube-Kubel was relegated to working with the scratches after practice, a clear sign his spot is in jeopardy. Laviolette has kept his lineup intact through the first two games, both losses, but with the team now facing a pivotal Game 3 at home, the urgency to simply secure a win has reached a fever pitch. Miroshnichenko brings an intriguing mix of speed, tenacity and physicality that could provide a much-needed spark. "His speed was on display and he was tenacious all over the ice on the puck," Laviolette noted after practice. The 19-year-old rookie has seen spot duty with the Caps this season when called up from the AHL, and while throwing a young, inexperienced player into the fire in the playoffs is always a gamble, the Caps have very few options left to try and revive their scuffling offense. Captain Alex Ovechkin has yet to make an impact through two games, mustering just one shot on goal as the Panthers have made stopping him a focus. Ovechkin acknowledged something seems "a little bit off" but tried to project a calm confidence things would turn around on home ice. "We just have to calm down. Yeah, we're a young team, but we still have an experienced team, you know," he said. "We have to calm down, play simple with the puck, don't think about it too much, and it will come." Ovechkin's longtime linemate T.J. Oshie has also struggled, as the duo have combined for just two shots at even strength. With the Caps' playoff lives on the line and the series shifting back to Washington, the team will look to their captain to lead the way offensively. But Ovechkin will need help, and Miroshnichenko will have a chance to provide it and potentially give the Caps the critical victory they need to get back in the series. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monopoly GO! Get in the game and join your friends. Click HERE to Download MONOPOLY GO! now free on The App Store or Google Pay. The mobile hit twist on classic MONOPOLY. eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com . Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Policygenius Check life insurance off your to do list in no time with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/lockedonnhl to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. Sleeper Download the Sleeper App and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL to get up to a $100 match on your first deposit. Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper’s Terms of Use for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.