The Washington Capitals will rest another veteran player against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sunday.
During his pregame media availability, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery revealed that while captain Alex Ovechkin will be back for the team’s rematch against the Columbus Blue Jackets, veteran defenseman John Carlson is sitting out.
“We’re just looking at it from an individual preparation standpoint,” Carbery said. “John, a veteran player. (He has) played a lot this year. I think he’s played every single game. We’re playing a back-to-back. I feel like it’s important for him to not play both and take today off.”
Carlson, 35, has played in all 79 of the Capitals’ games this season, one of nine players on the roster that can claim that feat. He has skated 23:24 ice time per game on average, which ranks top on the Caps and 23rd in the NHL overall.
With Ovechkin’s return, Ethen Frank will return to the press box after playing 14:43 of the game against Columbus on Saturday. Carlson stepping out indicates Jakob Chychrun will be ready to return from his illness, although Carbery still labeled him a game-time decision.
Dylan McIlrath will also swap spots again with Alex Alexeyev. McIlrath’s physicality may be needed after the Blue Jackets took liberties with rough stuff against Caps rookie Ryan Leonard and defenseman Rasmus Sandin on Saturday.
More lineup-shifting is expected over the next week. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that the Caps will take their final regular-season games on a game-by-game basis, particularly with Ovechkin’s availability.
Charlie Lindgren will make his fifth appearance in the last six games with Logan Thompson still out injured and Hunter Shepard taking the 7-0 loss on Saturday. Lindgren was stellar against the Blue Jackets earlier this season, making 32 saves on 33 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory on December 12.
Per the AP’s Stephen Whyno, the Blue Jackets and head coach Dean Evason are making the rare choice of playing goaltender Jet Greaves on back-to-back days. Greaves earned his first career NHL shutout against the Caps, stopping all 22 of their shots on Saturday.
Columbus needs another win against the Capitals to keep their playoff hopes alive as they are five points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with three games left on their schedule. If Montreal were to win one of their final two games, the Blue Jackets would be eliminated.
