BREAKING: Malenstyn Undergoes Surgery, Out 6-8 Weeks For Capitals

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals saw another player undergo surgery, as Beck Malenstyn underwent a successful procedure on Friday.

Malenstyn had surgery to stabilize a finger fracture on his left hand. He is out 6-8 weeks, per the team.

The 24-year-old suffered the injury against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. With Nicolas Hague open for a clear shot on goal, Malenstyn sacrificed the body and slid to block the shot. The puck fractured one of the fingers in his left hand. He was doubled over in pain and went down the tunnel soon after. Malenstyn did not return to the game and has since gone on the IR.

Hell of a block by Malenstyn but man, that can't feel good pic.twitter.com/JuGWfyfjzS

— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) November 1, 2022

It’s unfortunate for the Capitals, who called up Malenstyn from the AHL’s Hershey Bears to help fill in for a plethora of missing forwards, including Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, T.J. Oshie, Connor Brown and Carl Hagelin. Defenseman John Carlson is also on the IR.

Malenstyn had been fitting in well on the fourth line in the Hagelin spot, thriving alongside the likes of Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. In five games with Washington this season, Malenstyn picked up a goal and an assist, while also delivering 15 hits.

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The 2016 fifth-round selection has been working toward the NHL while skating with Hershey over the last few years. Down there, he thrives as a utility player and penalty killer, and has come up with quite a few clutch goals, too. Malenstyn also doesn’t shy away from dropping the gloves when he has to.

After recording 16 points in 74 games with the Bears last season and also picking up his first NHL goal and leading the Capitals in hits during his 12-game tenure with the big club in 2021-22, Malenstyn earned a two-year extension. The two-way deal becomes one-way starting next season.

This isn’t the first time Malenstyn’s dealt with an injury. In 2020-21, he suffered a torn Achilles in a freak accident while training. He made a full recovery and is expected to make a full recovery from this as well.

With Washington now down seven skaters, the team recalled Sonny Milano, Garrett Pilon and Lucas Johansen to help fill the void.