WASHINGTON – Good morning from the Verizon Center, where the Bruins will look to take a 3-1 series lead tonight against the Capitals.

Washington will be without ace playmaker Nicklas Backstrom. The clever center was suspended for one game for his high hit on Rich Peverley at the conclusion of Game 3.

The Bruins will most likely stick with the same forward configuration they featured in Game 3. However, that could change during the game if they’re not clicking.

Puck drop: 7:30 p.m.

TV/radio info: NESN (Jack Edwards, Andy Brickley, Naoko Funayama),98.5 The Sports Hub (Dave Goucher, Bob Beers)

Records: Bruins 2-1, Capitals 1-2

Projected Bruins lineup:

Milan Lucic-Patrice Bergeron-Rich Peverley
Brad Marchand-David Krejci-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Brian Rolston
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg
Andrew Ference-Johnny Boychuk
Greg Zanon-Joe Corvo

Tim Thomas
Anton Khudobin

Healthy scratches: Jordan Caron, Mike Mottau

Projected Capitals lineup:

Alex Ovechkin-Brooks Laich-Marcus Johansson
Jason Chimera-Mathieu Perreault-Alexander Semin
Matt Hendricks-Jay Beagle-Troy Brouwer
Mike Knuble-Keith Aucoin-Joel Ward

Karl Alzner-John Carlson
Roman Hamrlik-Mike Green
John Erskine-Dennis Wideman

Braden Holtby
Dany Sabourin

Healthy scratches: Dmitry Orlov, Jeff Schultz

Storylines: The Capitals have made it clear they don’t agree with the decision to suspend Backstrom. The organization released a statement Wednesday, questioning why other incidents have not been reviewed. Owner Ted Leonsis also posted comments on his blog. Leonsis noted that the defending Stanley Cup champions will always get the benefit of the doubt … Ex-Bruin Mike Knuble is expected to make his series debut. Knuble has been a healthy scratch so far. Knuble would skate on Washington’s fourth line … The Bruins are 0 for 11 on the power play. They went 0 for 21 in the first round against Montreal last year … Adam McQuaid (eye/head) will miss his fourth straight game … Marc Joannette and Brian Pochmara will be the referees. Brad Lazarowich and Jonny Murray will be the linesmen.

@GlobeFluto