Peter Laviolette enters COVID protocol
I swear every time I think we’re out of this pandemic someone I know tests positive for COVID. Earlier in the week it was Bradley Beal of the NBA’s Washington Wizards. Today the Washington Capitals announced that their head coach tested positive for COVID 19 and as a result enters COVID protocols.
Capitals Public Relations said that he will not be behind the bench for tonight’s and Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his place, assistant coach Kevin McCarthy will assume head coaching duties in the interim.
There was some more news coming out of today’s morning skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. John Carlson and Dmitry Orlov were both on the ice.
Here were the lines at morning skate courtesy of Samantha Pell from The Washington Post:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Sheary
Milano-Strome-Johansson
Mantha-Eller-NAK
Protas-Dowd-Hathaway
Gustafsson-Carlson
Fehervary-Jensen
Irwin-TvR
Extras look like: Orlov. Alexeyev, McMichael, Snively
Carlson missed the last six games while on injured reserve with a lower body injury. Based on these line rushes, it looks like he’s in tonight. But ultimately McCarthy said he will be a game time decision.
Darcy Kuemper was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate meaning he is the expected starter in net tonight.
This is the first time this season a Caps player or coach has entered COVID protocol. Last year it seemed like a majority of players had COVID with some getting it twice like Lars Eller.
Unfortunately for Eller, both times it happened on the road and as a result he had to quarantine in a hotel room. If I remember correctly based on last season it is the first time Laviolette himself has tested positive for the virus.
You can catch the game tonight locally on NBC Sports Washington and nationally on NHL Network. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. from Capital One Arena.