This just in. The Washington Capitals will likely be without Michal Kempny during their 2019 playoff run after the defenseman underwent surgery for a torn left hamstring. According to the Caps, Kempny will be out for the next four to six months. His current timeline will keep him out until July at the earliest.

The Capitals announced the news at 3 pm, shortly after news of Ernie Grunfeld’s dismissal was first reported.

Caps defenseman Michal Kempny underwent a successful surgery to repair a torn left hamstring. Kempny is expected to miss 4-6 months.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) April 2, 2019

The injury occurred in the Caps’ 5-4 overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 20.

After getting in a physical altercation with Cedric Paquette, Kempny was awkwardly pulled down to the ice.

He had extreme difficulty getting off the ice.

Kempny did not return to the game and has not skated since. Capitals head coach Todd Reirden would only say that the Czech defenseman suffered a lower-body injury and was out indefinitely.

The second-pairing defenseman was spotted on crutches during the Capitals visit to the White House.

Kempny was first acquired at the trade deadline last season and was arguably one of the players that put the Capitals over the top during their Stanley Cup run.

Christian Djoos has replaced Kempny in the lineup since his injury. The Capitals called up Jonas Siegenthaler up from the Hershey Bears as a reserve.