It never ends does it? The Washington Capitals, as well as many other teams across the world of sports, are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. After just returning to action from a hip injury on Wednesday night, Nicklas Backstrom has been added to the COVID protocol list just hours before the Caps are set to take on the Winnipeg Jets.
That leaves the Caps without their top two centers for the foreseeable future. Evgeny Kuznetsov got added to the COVID protocol list on Wednesday. They join Garnet Hathaway. They are all quarantining in D.C.
Backstrom skated for a total of 18:14 minutes of ice time. He had five shots on goal, two hits, and a 47 percent face off winning percentage. The Caps will be without those players mentioned above tonight as well as Nic Dowd and Trevor Van Riemsdyk, who can’t play in Canada due to their COVID rules.
The Caps recalled Zach Fucale as a precaution from Hershey instead of another forward. The lineup will make us dizzy tonight because it looks like the Caps are going to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen if Tom Wilson can’t play. Wilson is day to day with an upper body injury.
There wasn’t a plan to limit Backstrom’s involvement. He said after the game Wednesday night that he “felt good” and was happy with his progress. The only veteran center available tonight is Lars Eller.
In just the NHL alone the Caps aren’t the only team dealing with an outbreak. The NHL has already paused games involving the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche through Christas and the Calgary Flames through Dec. 23.
Three members of the organization in the Caps traveling party also have the virus including goaltending coach Scott Murray. Puck drop for tonight’s game is at 8 p.m. eastern. Maybe one of us could play center tonight?