Karl Alzner Injury Update: Capitals Defenseman Out For Game 4

Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner will miss Game 4 due to an unknown upper body injury. 

The Washington Capitals face arguably the most important game in their franchise’s history on Wednesday. A win in Game 4 would give them momentum and, more importantly, home ice advantage. They will have to do it without top pairing defenseman Karl Alzner. After missing Game 3 with an upper body injury, the same injury will keep him out for Game 4.

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Nate Schmidt will likely be his replacement, just like in Game 3. Alzner is one of the Capitals top penalty killers, so replacing him while shorthanded will be key. Schmidt can do more things offensively than him, so maybe this helps get the Caps’ offense going as well.

It will be up to the Capitals to win without one of their best defensemen. Alzner averages 19:47 of ice time per game, the third highest on Washington’s blue line. Most of his minutes come on the penalty kill, as no Caps defenseman spends more time killing penalties than him. Alzner spends over three minutes per game shorthanded.

With him out, Schmidt and John Carlson took on a lot of the top competition in Game 3. Head coach Barry Trotz needs to change this. He has an excellent pairing in Dmitry Orlov and Matt Niskanen which has been the Capitals’ bread and butter all season. Why go away from it now? Give Schmidt and Carlson easier minutes and let the Orlov and Niskanen pairing do what they’ve done all season.

Must Read: Missed chances killed Caps in Game 3

Winning Game 4 without Alzner is doable if the right decisions are made to adjust for his loss. Time will tell if the Capitals are willing to make those changes.