Dmitry Orlov and Carl Hagelin unavailable due to COVID protocol

Right when we all thought the Washington Capitals were getting better, more COVID-19 news hit the team. At morning skate we learned from the Caps that Dmitry Orlov would be unavailable due to COVID protocols. Just over two hours from puck drop, the Caps also announced that Carl Hagelin will miss time due to COVID.

Hagelin was at the morning skate and took rushes on the fourth line with Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. Orlov wasn’t present at the morning skate as the pairs were Martin Fehervary and John Carlson, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Nick Jensen, and Matt Irwin and Justin Schultz.

Orlov up until this point was only one of four Capitals to play in all 36 games this season. John Carlson is now the Caps only defenseman to not end up on COVID protocol. Orlov and Hagelin will be in quarantine for at least five days as the CDC lowered the quarantine period for those affected.

Orlov and Hagelin will have to have no remaining symptoms, test negative multiple times, and then must get cleared to play from team physicians. Orlov was one of the last players to get vaccinated before the season but his participation in the shot ensured the team would be fully vaccinated.

Orlov has four goals and 13 assists for 17 points. Hagelin has two goals and five assists for seven points and had the unfortunate luck of scoring the Caps own goal the other night in an eventual loss to the Minnesota Wild where the Caps coughed up a 2-0 lead. It is unclear for right now who would draw in Hagelin’s place on the fourth line.

The Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins for the first time since the first round of last season’s playoffs tonight with puck drop at 7 p.m. from Capital One Arena.