The Caps just wrapped up their morning skate here at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Alexander Semin is out for the Caps and did not make the trip. Bruce Bodureau said he could join the team for the Saturday game against the Islanders. He also ruled out this absence being a disciplinary action.

"I think it is a combination [of things]," Boudreau said. "He's sick and he's sore. I don't know."

Spoke breifly with George McPhee about the Michael Nylander situation, and he said there was nothing more to add -- this is a way for Nylander to play a few games. He can only stay with Grand Rapids for two weeks.

Boyd Gordon skated at the beginning of the morning skate but didn't last long on the ice. Keith Aucoin and Alexandre Giroux were recalled to replace them.

Here's what the lineup is likely to look like tonight:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble

Laich-Morrison-Fehr

Giroux-Aucoin-Clark

Laing-Steckel-Bradley

Morrisonn-Green

Poti-Jurcina

Schultz-Pothier

Varlamov

Theodore

Ondrej Pavelec is expected in net for the Thrashers. Atlanta has switched up its top two lines, moving Max Afinegenov onto the top line with Nik Atropov and Ilya Kovalchuk. The second line will be Bryan Little, Todd White and Slava Kozlov.

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