McIlrath had five PIM in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

McIlrath skated in his 100th NHL contest, and he celebrated the occasion with a second-period bout against Arber Xhekaj. McIlrath has played in four of the Capitals' last eight games, which is actually an increase in usage for him as the team has had to navigate some short-term absences. He's still looking for his first point of the season while adding two shots on net, 10 PIM, 15 hits and five blocked shots over eight outings.

McIlrath was scratched for the sixth time in eight games in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Despite John Carlson (upper body) being out, the Capitals opted to bring in left-shot blueliner Declan Chisholm rather than a righty in McIlrath. Sidelined by a lower-body injury for the first five games of the season, McIlrath has seen action in just three games since his Oct. 19 activation from injured reserve. He's earned no points while adding seven hits and two blocked shots. The 33-year-old provides toughness when he plays, but as part of an eight-man blue line on the Capitals' roster, his opportunities are few and far between.

McIlrath (lower body) was activated off injured reserve by the Capitals on Sunday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McIlrath has not suited up for a game yet this season while recovering from an injury suffered in the preseason. It's a good sign to see him activated, though he isn't in action for Sunday's game against the Canucks. Whether he sticks in the NHL, where he spent much of last season as a healthy scratch, or gets sent back to the AHL remains to be seen. The 33-year-old appeared in just 17 games last season, recording two assists.

McIlrath (lower body) was cleared for contact in practice Friday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.

EDGE Analysis

McIlrath is a depth defenseman, playing in only 17 games with the Capitals in 2024-25. The defenseman missed Wednesday's opening Night loss to Boston, but it was unlikely that the 33-year-old would have been in the lineup if he was healthy.

McIlrath (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

After suffering an injury in Saturday's preseason finale against Columbus, McIlrath won't be available for the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. Once he's healthy, the 33-year-old defender will be a depth option for the Capitals, or he could end up on waivers for assignment to AHL Hershey.

McIlrath won't return to Saturday's preseason game against Columbus after sustaining a lower-body injury.

EDGE Analysis

McIlrath had two assists, 28 PIM and 38 hits in 17 regular-season appearances with Washington in 2024-25. He's been in the mix for a spot on Washington's Opening Night roster. However, there's a chance McIlrath will make the team but be scratched in the opener versus Boston on Wednesday, even if he's healthy enough to play.

McIlrath agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension with Washington on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

McIlrath has seen action in just 11 NHL games this season, in which he notched two assists, 14 PIM and 23 hits while averaging a mere 10:54 of ice time. With six defensemen already under contract next year, not including Alexander Alexeyev, who will be a restricted free agent, McIlrath will be hard-pressed to secure significantly more ice time next year, even with a new deal in hand.

McIlrath was scratched for the 32nd game in a row in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

The Capitals recently gave Alexander Alexeyev a conditioning stint in the minors -- both he and McIlrath have spent the vast majority of the campaign in the press box. McIlrath would need to consent to any potential conditioning stint, but he's also a veteran blueliner who can be ready to play on a moment's notice if an injury occurs. The 32-year-old shouldn't be expected to play unless there's an injury on the blue line or if the Capitals start resting players in the final weeks in preparation for the playoffs, though that's unlikely to happen until they clinch at least the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

McIlrath was scratched for 15th consecutive game Saturday versus the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

McIlrath and Alexander Alexeyev are in the same boat, as neither has received much playing time while the Capitals' defense has enjoyed good health over the last couple of month. McIlrath last played Dec. 23 against the Bruins, seeing just 1:45 of ice time as a seventh blueliner. He has two assists, 23 hits, 14 PIM and seven blocked shots through 11 appearances in 2024-25.

McIlrath suited up as a seventh defenseman in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

The Capitals rarely go with seven defenseman, and McIlrath saw just 1:45 of ice time in the contest. That experiment may be scrapped if Alex Ovechkin (lower leg) can play Saturday in Toronto. McIlrath hadn't played since Nov. 3, and he's stuck in the press box as an extra defenseman. He has two assists, 23 hits, 14 PIM and seven blocked shots over 11 appearances this season.