Goalie Start
Copley will start in Montreal on Monday.
Copley allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Capitals win in Colorado on Friday. Even with Braden Holtby (upper-body) healthy, Copley will make his fourth straight start tonight. The 26-year-old has been excellent in his last five starts, going 4-1-0 with a 2.17 GAA and .921 SV%. Tonight he faces a Canadiens team that has won three of their last four.
Send Down
The Capitals have assigned Ilya Samsonov to Hershey (AHL).
Samsonov came up to serve as Pheonix Copley’s backup while Braden Holtby (upper-body) was sidelined. Holtby said he was good-to-go after Sunday’s practice, so Samsonov’s return to the AHL suggests that Holtby is in fact good to at least serve as tonight’s backup, if not start.
Holtby (upper-body) said he’s ready to play but needs to be medically cleared.
Source: Chris Kuc 11/18/18, 2:29 pm EST
Call Up
The Capitals have recalled Ilya Samsonov from Hershey (AHL).
With Braden Holtby out with an upper-body injury, 2015 first-round pick Ilya Samsonov has been called-up to backup Pheonix Copley on Friday. The 21-year-old has gone 3-5-0 with a 3.73 gAA and .875 SV% in eight AHL games this season.
Goalie Start
Copley will start Friday in Colorado.
Copley allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Capitals loss in Winnipeg on Wednesday. The loss snapped a three-game losing streak for Copley, who has a 2.76 GAA and .905 SV% in six games this season. With Braden Holtby out with an upper-body injury, Copley will make his third start in four nights.
Source: JJ Regan 11/16/18, 3:10 pm EST
Holtby (upper-body) is day-to-day and will not play on Friday.
Holtby was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game in Winnipeg and he will miss his second straight game on Friday. With Holtby out, Pheonix Copley is expected to start and Ilya Samsonov will be called up.
Oshie (upper-body) is day-to-day and will not play on Friday.
Oshie was hurt late in Wednesday’s game in Winnipeg and he will not play Friday in Colorado. With Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov out, players from Washington’s third line (Burakovsky—Eller—Connolly) will have to take on a larger role.
Kuznetsov (upper-body) is day-to-day and will not play on Friday.
Kuznetsov was injured in Winnipeg on Wednesday and will not play Friday in Colorado. The Capitals will be shorthanded with both Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie out with upper-body injuries. Lars Eller is expected to skate with Alex Ovechkin while Kuznetsov is out.
Oshie is being evaluated for a possible concussion.
Oshie was forced to leave Monday’s game in Winnipeg after a heavy collision in the corner with Jets’ defenseman Josh Morrissey. Oshie’s head was driven to the ice after the hit and he came up a bit woozy. Oshie has four reported concussions in his career, so the Capitals will be very cautious with the winger. Oshie is questionable at the very least for Friday’s game in Colorado.
Kuznetsov is being evaluated for a possible concussion.
Kuznetsov was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in Winnipeg after being clipped in the head by a Brandon Tanev elbow in the first period. Kuznetsov originally stayed in the game for the ensuing power-play, but left the game and did not return shortly after. If Kuznetsov suffered a concussion, it would all but rule him out of Friday’s game in Colorado.
Holtby missed Wednesday's game against the Jets with an upper-body injury.
Holtby was a late scratch for tonight's game, causing Pheonix Copley to make his second start in as many nights. Goalie Gavin McHale was signed as an emergency back-up. Consider Holtby day-to-day until we get an update from the team.
Goalie Start
Holtby will start Wednesday in Winnipeg.
Holtby allowed three goals on 21 shots in the Capitals loss to the Coyotes on Sunday. In his last six starts, Holtby has gone 1-4-1 with a 3.01 GAA and .914 SV% in his last six starts. Holtby has been great at even-strength (.923 SV%) but has struggled short-handed (.705 SV%), but that should correct itself as the season progresses.
Source: Rob Carlin 11/14/18, 9:49 am EST
Line Change
Wilson is expected to make his season debut on Tuesday.
Wilson had his suspension reduced to 14 games this morning, so he’ll make his season debut in Minnesota. Wilson, who is coming off of a career-year, skated with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin in the morning skate.
Goalie Start
Copley will start Tuesday in Minnesota.
Copley allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Capitals win over the Oilers on October 5th. Copley has won two straight games, stopping 58 of 63 shots (.921 SV%). Despite a couple of good starts in a row, Copley draws a tough matchup against a Wild team that has won five of their last six.
Suspension
Wilson has had his suspension reduced to 14 games by arbitrator.
Wilson has already missed the first 16 games of the season, so he is eligible to return tonight in Minnesota. Wilson had a career-high 14 goals, 21 assists and 35 points in 78 games last season.
Send Down
The Capitals have reassigned Aaron Ness to Hershey (AHL).
John Carlson returned to the Capitals lineup on Sunday, so Ness heads back to Hershey. The 28-year-old has four assists and a minus-1 rating in 12 games with the Bears.
Carlson (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Sunday.
Source: Chris Kuc 11/11/18, 3:05 pm EST
Goalie Start
Holtby will start Sunday vs. the Coyotes.
Source: Rob Carlin 11/11/18, 2:58 pm EST
Recalled from Hershey (AHL)
Recalled from Hershey (AHL)