Lines 2021-22 Season

Evgeny Kuznetsov leaves practice due to lower-body injury

After a two-day break, the Washington Capitals returned to the ice as they try to manage a COVID-19 outbreak.

They were greeted at practice with not much good news. Carl Hagelin missed practice due to illness but did not test positive for the disease. The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir also reported that goaltending coach goalie coach Scott Murray is now in COVID protocol, joining Nic Dowd, Garnet Hathaway, and Trevor van Riemsdyk in quarantine.

But the biggest and most concerning news was that Evgeny Kuznetsov left practice with a lower-body injury. It’s unclear how serious the injury is or when exactly he suffered it.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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The Capitals’ updated lines for the Ducks game with Garnet Hathaway in COVID protocol

The Washington Capitals had to scramble once again this morning with Garnet Hathaway entering protocol. The Capitals are now without three players– Hathaway, Nic Dowd, and Trevor van Riemsdyk –due to COVID-19 related issues.

During the Capitals morning skate, head coach Peter Laviolette responded by bumping up Carl Hagelin, who has not scored a goal this season in 25 games, to the second line while Connor McMichael centered Conor Sheary and Daniel Sprong on the third. The Capitals all-rookie line remains together as the fourth unit.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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TJ Oshie and Conor Sheary appear likely to play Saturday against CBJ

The Washington Capitals seem to be nearing another major boost to their lineup.

According to The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, Nicklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie, and Conor Sheary all skated at Friday’s “non-contact” practice.

NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti observed that Oshie and Sheary both took line rushes and worked with the top power play unit which indicates they could play Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago

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Justin Schultz set to return to the lineup as Backstrom, Oshie, and Sheary all skate with non-contact jerseys

The Washington Capitals will get a boost in the lineup when they take on the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena, Thursday.

Per the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, defenseman Justin Schultz participated in the morning skate and appears set to return to game action. Schultz had been out injured since suffering an upper-body injury against the Montreal Canadiens on November 24.

Schultz skated with Trevor van Riemsdyk on the third pairing during practice. Dennis Cholowski, who had played four games recently, was an extra.

Daniel Sprong will also return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last two games.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Ilya Samsonov to get fourth straight start as Capitals face Panthers for first place in East

Several weeks ago, GM Brian MacLellan told Tarik El-Bashir that the Capitals needed to see growth from both of their young goaltenders. After Zach Fucale absolutely stunned in his NHL debut with a shutout, Ilya Samsonov has found another level in his game and is attempting to separate himself from Vitek Vanecek.

Tuesday, Samsonov will get his fourth straight start in net from head coach Peter Laviolette.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Lars Eller returns to practice, Connor McMichael likely to sit against Carolina Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals will likely get back one of their missing players during their matinee matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

Lars Eller was a full participant in the Saturday skate, reclaiming his spot on the second line.

Eller has been missing from the lineup since November 16 due to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. His return means someone needs to sit and it’s likely that will be Connor McMichael.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago

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Aliaksei Protas promoted to first line and first power-play unit

The seemingly neverending shuffling of the Washington Capitals forward lines continued at Wednesday’s morning skate.

Due to injuries to TJ Oshie and Conor Sheary and the COVID-19 related absence of Lars Eller, Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette got creative with his lines before the team takes on the Montreal Canadiens.

The main benefactor from those absences appears to be Aliaksei Protas who is set for first-line action and first power-play unit responsibility.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago

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Lars Eller absent for Capitals morning skate in Anaheim

The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell reported that Lars Eller missed the Capitals morning skate in Anaheim on Tuesday.

Eller’s absence adds more injury woes to a Capitals team that has had nothing but bad luck this season. If the team’s third-line center is unable to suit up for the game tonight, the Caps will be without three of their regular four starting centers: Eller, Nicklas Backstrom, and Nic Dowd.

It’s unclear what’s ailing the Tiger as he did not appear to miss a shift against the Penguins on Sunday.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Aliaksei Protas and Zach Fucale recalled with Nic Dowd and Vitek Vanecek nursing injuries

The Washington Capitals were busy on Wednesday. After sending Hendrix Lapierre back to junior, general manager Brian MacLellan announced that the team had recalled two players from AHL Hershey: center Aliaksei Protas and goaltender Zach Fucale.

The moves were made after Nic Dowd and Vitek Vanecek suffered injuries against the Buffalo Sabres. While Dowd was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding roster move, Vanecek managed to still practice with the team and take shots.

Protas was placed on the fourth line during line rushes.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Hendrix Lapierre back in lineup against Flyers as Capitals make adjustments to forward group after Anthony Mantha injury

The Washington Capitals are home from their Florida road trip and taking on the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at Capital One Arena.

Due to another injury to a top-six forward, Hendrix Lapierre will renter the lineup. Vitek Vanecek will get the start in net after relieving Ilya Samsonov…twice…against the Panthers.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago

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