The Washington Capitals’ two Canadian Olympians are officially back in DC. Logan Thompson and Tom Wilson had their CBA-required days off on Tuesday and rejoined the club ahead of the Capitals’ return to play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.
Thompson, who also turned 29 on Wednesday, immediately got right back into the swing of things, jumping onto the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex for the team’s morning skate. He was the first goaltender off the ice and officially tabbed by head coach Spencer Carbery as the Capitals’ starting netminder against the Flyers.
“LT will start tonight,” Carbery said. “I knew the second I asked him, ‘Do you want to play?’ He was like, ‘Not even a question. Let me get back in the net.’ He understands where we’re at as a team, the significance of tonight. He wants to get right back into the net and do everything he can for our group.”
Thompson played in just one game for Team Canada in Italy, beating Switzerland 5-1 during the group stage of the tournament. In 39 NHL appearances for the Capitals this season, Thompson is 19-16-4 with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage, and two shutouts.
While Thompson is already raring to go, Carbery listed Wilson, who was absent from the skate, as a game-time decision due to illness. Wilson played in all six games for Canada in Milan, recording four points (1g, 3a).
“Willy is a little under the weather, so he will be a game-time decision,” Carbery said.
Carbery noted that, despite Wilson not skating since returning from Milan, he has no qualms about putting him in the lineup if he’s healthy.
“As long as he’s comfortable, I’m comfortable,” Carbery said. “And he’s skated so much over the last few weeks. So it’d be different if it was someone, (if) he was gone away and coming back; yeah, he would need to get on the ice, but he’s been on the ice a significant amount of the break.”
The only other lineup decision that Carbery commented on was veteran defenseman John Carlson not playing due to a lower-body injury. Carlson has not been a full participant in recent practices, skating on his own in a no-contact sweater. The Caps have yet to decide on whether Carlson will end up on injured reserve so that Connor McMichael can be activated.
Declan Chisholm will likely dress in Carlson’s place. Chisholm lined up on a pairing with Rasmus Sandin at Tuesday’s skate.
