Capitals’ Charlie Lindgren out through Olympic break, injury not long-term
The Washington Capitals got a bit more clarity with their crease on Monday, as it appears that Charlie Lindgren will be out through the Olympic break, although his injury isn’t considered long-term.
Charlie Lindgren is out through the break, but it’s not a long-term injury.
While that technically means Lindgren will miss three weeks of action, the wording leads one to believe that he wouldn’t miss much time during a normal schedule. But with the Capitals set to only play three games until the Olympic break, Lindgren’s injury will keep him out of action until then.
Lindgren sustained his injury during the overtime period of the Capitals 4-3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, but shook off the injury long enough to play in the shootout and earn a much-needed win for Washington. He needed help off the ice after the game, a sign that he’d probably miss some time with the injury.
The Capitals placed Lindgren on injured reserve on Saturday in order to recall Garin Bjorklund from the AHL to serve as a backup.
Lindgren has struggled as the backup for Washington this season, as he has an 8-6-3 record, an .884 save percentage, one shutout and a 1.52 5v5 goals saved above expected in 18 games.
Logan Thompson will not play or backup tonight against the Islanders but is “real close.” Still day-to-day. Hope is he plays against the Predators. #ALLCAPS
Lindgren’s injury comes at a bad time for Washington, as they’ve also been without Logan Thompson for the past two games. Thompson is not set to play or backup for Monday’s game against the New York Islanders, but is very close to returning. He’s also set to play for Canada at the Olympics later this month, so that could impact how much he plays during this final stretch.
Thompson has had a much better season for the Capitals, as his 18-16-4 record, .912 SV%, two shutouts and 36.51 5v5 GSAx in 38 games has him in the running for the Vezina Trophy.
With both players out, Clay Stevenson has been the starter for the Capitals, while Bjorklund is the backup. Stevenson has an 11-8-3 record and a .912 SV% in 24 games with the Hershey Bears, while Bjorklund is 4-5-2 with an .879 SV% and a shutout in 11 games.
Matt Roy is a game-time decision. If he can go, the Capitals will put Thompson on IR to open a spot. Would allow for him to be activated Thursday.
Defenseman Matt Roy is also a game-time decision for Monday’s game. Roy has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury, and is currently on IR. Should he be ready to play, Thompson will be placed on IR to make room on the roster, which would still allow him to play on Thursday before the break. Roy is currently set to play on the second pair with Jakob Chychrun should he be good to go.
Roy has one goal and 13 assists for 14 points in 53 games this season.
The Capitals are currently fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 27-22-7 record, and are six points behind the Buffalo Sabres for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ll look to build off of back-to-back wins when they host the Islanders on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.