Capitals’ Matt Roy to return against Kings after missing six games

A veteran presence is set to return to action.

The Washington Capitals have activated defenseman Matt Roy off injured reserve, with head coach Spencer Carbery announcing that he’ll be in the lineup on Tuesday night, when the Capitals play host to the Los Angeles Kings.

Roy has missed the past six games due to a lower-body injury that he suffered back on Oct. 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Capitals have been solid during that time, going 4-2-0, winning each of their past two games, including a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils this past Saturday.

Roy was placed on injured reserve a little over a week later to make room for fellow blueliner Justin Holl.

Roy’s injury came in the second game of the 2026-27 campaign. He was in the lineup for the season opener on Friday night, when Washington came away with a 5-2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Roy played 22:29 in the victory, but didn’t put his name on the scoresheet.

The 31-year-old is in his third season in the U.S. capital. After five seasons with the Kings, the Detroit native signed with the Capitals as a free agent, inking a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the team in July 2024. After five consecutive seasons with at least 20 points, Roy’s production took a dip last season on a Washington team that struggled, posting just two goals and 19 points in 79 games.

In 518 regular-season games in the NHL, Roy has notched 29 goals and 120 assists for 149 points, with another eight points in 28 Stanley Cup Playoff contests.

Puck drop between the Capitals (5-3-0) and Kings is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.