Tom Wilson will not play against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night and miss his fifth-straight game due to a lower-body injury.
Wilson participated in the Capitals’ optional morning skate but once again wore a light blue non-contact jersey, indicating he’s not quite ready for game action.
Tom is “still day-to-day, won’t play,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters.
Wilson was initially injured on January 3 during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. While chasing a loose puck in the offensive zone, Wilson absorbed a counter hit from Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy. As Wilson fell to the ice, his right leg got caught underneath him along the boards.
Carbery said that he believes Wilson must take contact again of some sort before being cleared.
“Yeah, I think so. I’m not going to say he — just because it’s a little bit of a unique year with the lack of practices — so I think we could probably get him in a contact situation that might not be a practice,” he said. “But yeah, he’s getting close.”
Against Montreal, the Capitals will also be without Justin Sourdif, who was struck in the face by a puck against the Nashville Predators on Sunday. Jakob Chychrun, who was unable to play on Sunday due to illness, is a game-time decision.
Puck drop for the game at Capital One Arena is at 7 pm. Tonight’s game against the Canadiens kicks off a three-game homestand where the Caps will also suit up against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and Florida Panthers on Saturday.
