Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov to make preseason debuts in Quebec City

For the first time since winning the Stanley Cup, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson will suit up for the Washington Capitals in a game.

All three members of the Capitals’ top forward line will make their 2018 preseason debut Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The exhibition is being played in Quebec City, Quebec.

Other notable players who will dress for the game include forwards Brett Connolly, Andre Burakovsky and Nathan Walker and defensemen Michal Kempny, Christian Djoos and Brooks Orpik. Pheonix Copley will get the start in net for the second time this preseason.

The fact that Ovechkin, Kuznetsov and Wilson will all play does not mean that they’ll play on the same line, as they will in the regular season.

Coach Todd Reirden and his staff could choose to split them up to have veterans across lines with less experienced rookies and minor leaguers who need ice time. In Tuesday’s preseason game, Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen both played, but not in the same defensive pairing like they usually do.

The Capitals don’t play another exhibition game at home until Friday, Sept. 28 against the Carolina Hurricanes. They wrap up the preseason the following Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.