Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden said pregame that there might “be some other roster moves going on before the game tonight,” adding “a bunch of [players are] game time (decisions). So whoever ends up on our bench then I will use them.”
He wasn’t kidding. Tom Wilson will be a late scratch while Michal Kempny (sick) did not travel with the team to Raleigh.
Here are the lines according to The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell. Travis Boyd will take Wilson’s spot in the lineup.
Capitals lines vs Hurricanes:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Boyd
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Dowd-HathawaySigenthaler-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Djoos-GudasWilson out.
Holtby
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 28, 2019
The Capitals’ Mike Vogel reported that it was likely a charley horse that is keeping Wilson out of the game.
Wilson came out for the start of warmup, but left before line rushes. Guessing that charley horse he got in third period of last night's game vs. CBJ may have flared up some. #Caps
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) December 28, 2019
Wilson took a knee to the left thigh from Ryan MacInnis during last night’s game against the Blue Jackets. He also threw several big hits himself.
ICYMI, Wilson went down last night after a hit and was slow to get up. Still played the rest of the game. pic.twitter.com/97G7dpTb1q
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 28, 2019
Wilson left pregame warmups after spending five minutes out on the ice and did not return.
Wilson has left pregame warmups early pic.twitter.com/Ykf4HHO7y6
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 28, 2019
The Capitals PR later announced that Wilson was out with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day.
#Caps Tom Wilson will not play tonight vs. Carolina (lower body) and is listed as day-to-day.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 29, 2019
Radko Gudas will play despite also struggling with some type of bug. The Czech defenseman only played 11:20 against the Columbus Blue Jackets last night and may get limited minutes again against the Hurricanes.
We ready. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7aswHSDTGj
— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 28, 2019
Capitals puppy Captain is also too “lit” to play.
We hope you're not too lit, Captain. We might need you to play tonight, bud. https://t.co/lSeZUW9QPt
— RMNB (@russianmachine) December 28, 2019
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Hurricanes
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
Share On