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.