COVID Continues to Decimate Capitals Roster

After the Christmas break, it would have been a safe assumption to guess that the Washington Capitals would be forced to add more players to the NHL’s COVID protocol. That’s exactly the case, as the Capitals resumed practice on Monday morning, it was announced that six additional players entered protocol.

The team’s defense has been the one group of players that has largely remained in the lineup as the team’s forwards have been decimated by injuries and by COVID related issues. That’s no longer the case, with Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov rejoining practice, it looks like the team’s forward group is the healthiest it has been in some time. That’s not to say the forward group is as-imagined but all things considered, it’s close. T.J Oshie still hasn’t returned to practice and Anthony Mantha is still sidelined with his shoulder injury.

The team’s defensive pairings are now missing three of the group’s starting-six. None of the team’s pairings are the same however, Dmitry Orlov and John Carlson have been partners in the past. This will be yet another test for the Capitals to show their resilience. It’s hard to argue against Peter Laviolette and his coaching staff and the overall depth of the organization. Many teams would not be able to remain competitive given the hand that the Capitals have been dealt so far in 2021-2022. But not only are the Capitals competitive, they have thrived, tied for second-most standings points in the entire NHL.

As the COVID cases continue to mount, the Capitals recalled Michal Kempny and Pheonix Copley from the Hershey Bears and have added Brett Leason and Alex Alexeyev to the team’s taxi-squad. The NHL and NHLPA has agreed to reintroduce, at least temporarily, the taxi squad system to help ensure team’s are able to remain competitive as COVID cases continue to sky rocket across the country and in the league.

The Capitals are currently expected to resume play Wednesday night against the Nashville Predators.