This will be the first game the 38-year-old has missed this season, and he is averaging the fewest minutes of his career (16:18), though he logged more than 18 minutes in the Capitals' past two games against Calgary and Edmonton. In his absence, the Capitals are expected go with a third defense pairing of Christian Djoos and Madison Bowey. When those two were rookies last season, Washington preferred pairing each with a veteran blueliner, and while they’re expected to get some shifts together against the Canadiens, Reirden indicated he would rotate them with other partners, too.

Orpik’s injury presents an opportunity for Bowey, who has been a healthy scratch for all but three games this season. He played less than 11 minutes against the Calgary Flames last week.

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“I think that Calgary game was a definitely a big start for me and a big start in the right direction,” Bowey said. “I think I did a lot of good things that game and a lot of stuff I can build off of. I know my mind set is staying the same here. I want to be in the lineup every night and in order to do that I’ve got to play with that competitive nature and with urgency and make sure I’m consistent in my play and doing the all the little things right. I think I did that well in Calgary and if I can keep building off that, that should put me in a good spot.”

Reirden also said center Travis Boyd has been medically cleared after he injured his left foot in the preseason. But because he’s missed game action for the past month, the Capitals will send him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey on a conditioning stint. He’s slated to play in the Bears' games on Friday and Saturday before returning to Washington. Because it’s a conditioning stint, Boyd doesn’t have to clear waivers or be taken off long-term injured reserve. Once the team does activate him, it will need to make a corresponding roster move to clear salary-cap space.