The Washington Capitals are ill and not in a good way.
After getting several defensive reserves back from COVID-19 protocol (Justin Schultz and Nick Jensen), the Capitals learned that Nicklas Backstrom and TJ Oshie would not suit up against the New Jerseys due to a non-COVID illness, meaning Michael Sgarbossa and Daniel Sprong will get back into the lineup. Ilya Samsonov gets the start against MacKenzie Blackwood.
The Capitals, who only have $200k left in cap space, also sent Aliaksei Protas back to Hershey.
The Capitals are fighting for first place in the Metro (tied with Carolina) while the seventh-place Devils are 3-6-1 in their last 10.
Watch along with us on NBC Sports Washington.
Capitals lines
8-Ovechkin, 92-Kuznetsov, 43-Wilson
73-Sheary, 20-Eller, 10-Sprong
24-McMichael, 23-Sgarbossa, 49-Leason
62-Hagelin, 26-Dowd, 21-Hathaway
9-Orlov, 74-Carlson
6-Kempny, 3-Jensen
57-van Riemsdyk, 2-Schultz
Samsonov vs. Blackwood
This is nice
@russianmachine pic.twitter.com/crfRasYjSB
— Jennifer Bimson (@Jencapsfan74) January 2, 2022
Our favorite hockey team is full of brainaics.
important discussion on mike(y) and ikes pic.twitter.com/Z2xVvf8Mq4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 2, 2022
Capitals fall behind 2-0 after NJD score twice in 74 seconds.
Yegor Sharangovich and Damon Severson notched the goals.
Sharangoalvich is back. pic.twitter.com/ZEwwODKbms
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 2, 2022
Sevy fires. pic.twitter.com/ZpOIRXv3fq
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 2, 2022
John Carlson goes bar down to narrow NJD’s lead to 2-1.
What a shot. That’s Carly’s eighth goal of the season. Also: free nugs tmw.
Carly with the nuggets goal! pic.twitter.com/006hM040AL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 2, 2022
Nico Hischier gives the Devils a 3-1 lead.
Nico with the picture perfect tip to put the #NJDevils back up by 2 pic.twitter.com/ppFYzVlkyI
— Devils on MSG (@DevilsMSGN) January 2, 2022
Whoa Ovi
Nic Dowd whacks the puck out of mid-air to bring the Capitals within one. 3-2.
Gave us the running man celly pic.twitter.com/i2qJYt5NRb
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 2, 2022
Tie game. What was MacKenzie Blackwood doing here?
A beautiful equalizer pic.twitter.com/GSi4bbA2PK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 2, 2022
Nico Hischier wins it in OT. 4-3 NJD.
The Caps’ lines in 3v3 overtime were… something.
An OT winner from @nicohischier? Yes, please!! 👏 pic.twitter.com/BOiN8nTMiA
— NHL (@NHL) January 2, 2022
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