The Washington Capitals are getting a big boost to their blue line Thursday as No. 1 defenseman John Carlson is expected to return against the Chicago Blackhawks, the team announced.

Carlson missed the past 36 games. He suffered a skull fracture and a severed temporal artery after taking a slap shot to the head against the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 23. Carlson said Sunday that it felt like he got "struck by lightning."

The Capitals are six points out of a playoff spot with 10 games left in the campaign. MoneyPuck gives them a 0.3% chance of reaching the postseason.

Carlson has recorded eight goals and 13 assists in 30 games this season. Washington's blue line will look much different than the last time he suited up, as Dmitry Orlov and Erik Gustafsson were shipped off at the deadline while Rasmus Sandin was acquired.

Head coach Peter Laviolette announced that the Capitals will also get goaltender Darcy Kuemper and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk back against the Blackhawks, per NBC's Matt Weyrich. Kuemper missed two contests with an upper-body injury, while van Riemsdyk was absent for one game due to the birth of his child.

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