The Washington Capitals lost one of their new, top-four defenders early in Saturday’s Home Opener against the New Jersey Devils.
Matt Roy played just 8:39 of ice time before departing to the team’s locker room. Washington announced late in the second period that Roy suffered a lower-body injury and would not return to the game.
INJURY UPDATE: #Caps defenseman Matt Roy (lower body) will not return to tonight's game.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 13, 2024
There was no obvious play where Roy was injured. The 29-year-old, right-handed shooting rearguard signed a six-year, $34.5 million deal with the Capitals this summer in free agency.
Roy played in 81 games for the Los Angeles Kings last season and recorded 25 points (5g, 20a). He lined up next to Martin Fehervary on Washington’s second pairing against the Devils.
The Capitals will finish their first game with just five defensemen. Alex Alexeyev and Dylan McIlrath are the two reserve defenders on the club’s roster.
Head coach Spencer Carbery didn’t really have much of an update on Roy postgame. “Out, lower-body,” he said.
