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Capitals rookies take turns with top 12 forwards in midst of playoff pressure

PITTSBURGH — In the spotlight of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, some very new forwards are getting time on the ice.

Leave aside rookie Jakub Vrana for now. The Game 5 hero has played on all four lines this season and had the experience to rise to the occasion with two assists and a game-winning goal in Saturday’s 6-3 win.

But rookies like Shane Gersich, Travis Boyd and Nathan Walker all normally would be healthy scratches if the team were just that — healthy.

The Capitals entered the series healthier than the Penguins, with only Andre Burakovsky out week-to-week.