Capitals F Pierre-Luc Dubois returns to lineup after 47-game absence

Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois will return Thursday against the visiting Nashville Predators after missing 47 games following surgery to repair injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles, the team said.

Dubois, 27, was injured after his knee buckled on a defensive zone faceoff during the first period of Washington's 3-1 home loss to the New York Islanders on Oct. 31.

"It's a lot better than knowing I'm going to be watching from upstairs," Dubois said. "It's been a long time, a lot of work. We have a training staff here that did an amazing job. I'm extremely grateful for them, my teammates and everybody. It's going to be a fun night."

Playing in the third season of an eight-year, $68 million contract, Dubois did not record a point in his first six games in 2025-26.

He has 408 points (165 goals, 243 assists) in 604 career games with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2017-21), Winnipeg Jets (2021-23), Los Angeles Kings (2023-24) and Capitals (2024-present). Dubois was selected by the Blue Jackets with the third overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Dubois, who had been cleared for full-contact practices on Jan. 26, and the Capitals also could have goaltender Logan Thompson back. He missed four games with an upper-body injury sustained on Jan. 27 in a 5-1 defeat at Seattle.

Washington forward Sonny Milano will miss Thursday's game for personal reasons.

--Field Level Media