WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Capitals saw their already-depleted defense corps grow thinner Friday night when they lost Trevor van Riemsdyk early in Game Three.
Van Riemsdyk went down midway through the first period against the New York Rangers after a late, high hit from forward Matt Rempe sent him careening into the boards. He did not return to the game.
The Capitals have now watched four of their blueliners (van Riemsdyk, Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen, and Vincent Iorio) suffer injuries since April 7 — all due to hits. Postgame, several players vented frustrations about their teammates being taken out of action by the body checks.
“I’m sick and tired of losing defensemen to ‘clean’ hits, though,” said John Carlson. “That’s for sure. Whether it’s the end of the regular season or in the playoffs, it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating how guys can get injured and it’s legal.”
Rempe appeared to make contact with van Riemsdyk’s head on the play and was called for interference.
“That was a dirty hit,” forward Nic Dowd said. “I think anybody can understand that Riems made a play, time passed, although quickly, and I think a player took advantage of another player in a vulnerable spot.”
Tom Wilson, who was suspended for interference himself during the 2017-18 preseason, suggested that — though Rempe was assessed only a minor penalty — he could face supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for the timing of the hit.
“Yeah, I mean you guys have the stopwatch up there,” he said. “I haven’t watched it, I haven’t timed it out. I’ve been told you can’t hit that late. It’s a pretty late hit, it’s a target on one of our D. You hate to see it. I think they’ll obviously look at it and take care of it. Seemed like a couple steamboats late to me. Happens fast out there.”
Three days before van Riemsdyk’s injury, TJ Oshie briefly left Game Two of the series after a controversial hit from Artemi Panarin struck him up high, drawing ire from the Capitals postgame. Iorio also went down in Game One after a hit from Alexis Lafrenière that head coach Spencer Carbery deemed “borderline,” while Jensen was injured late in the regular season on an unpenalized hit from Tampa Bay’s Mikey Eyssimont.
Should van Riemsdyk’s injury keep him out of Game Four, the Capitals will have scant options to replace him. Carbery indicated Friday night that Sandin and Jensen may or may not be ready to play, potentially leaving Hardy Häman Aktell as the only defenseman left on the roster able to slot in. Chase Priskie is the only defenseman with an NHL contract remaining with the Hershey Bears.
Down 0-3 in the series, the Capitals will attempt to stave off a sweep at home on Sunday at 8 pm.
