Capitals head coach Barry Trotz spoke to the media this morning after the team’s second consecutive overtime home loss in the first round.
Trotz announced that Andre Burakovsky, who absorbed a big bodycheck by Boone Jenner in the first period, will not travel with the team to Columbus due to an upper-body injury.
According to the Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan, Burakovsky is “going to miss some time” and will not play Games Three and Four, where the Capitals will attempt to dig themselves out of a 2-0 series hole.
Trotz said Burakovsky is not traveling to Columbus. Out at least the next two games.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 16, 2018
Jakub Vrana, who was controversially scratched for Game Two, will get back into the lineup.
Trotz on Burakovsky's latest injury: "For the player, it’s frustrating. Our mentality is next guy up. Next guy up will be Jakub Vrana. I feel bad for Andre because everything for a young player is about getting…confidence and building on that." #Caps #CBJ
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) April 16, 2018
Trotz also announced he has made a decision about the team’s starting goaltender for Game Three, but would not say who. Philipp Grubauer was benched during the second intermission in favor of Braden Holtby.
A decision regarding the #Caps' starting goalie for Game 3 has been made. Trotz, however, said he won't make the decision public until he informs the players this afternoon. #CBJ
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) April 16, 2018
Game Three is Tuesday at Nationwide Arena.
Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk
