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Capitals Notebook: Orlov & Oshie Updates Before Road Swing

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Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov

After wrapping up their longest homestand of the 2022-23 campaign, the Washington Capitals are embarking on a three-game road swing starting in Florida.

Dmitry Orlov has been placed on the IR retroactive to Nov. 5 as he deals with a lower-body injury. He will travel on this road swing, per the team. Meanwhile, T.J. Oshie, who skated on Wednesday, has not been back on the ice and will not travel with the team.

Orlov has not played since the first period of Washington’s Nov. 5 game against the Arizona Coyotes, which he left with a lower-body injury. It’s unclear if the injury happened during that game or if it was a lingering issue, but No. 9 has since been out of the lineup, missing three straight games. However, it’s a good sign that he’s travelling, as he’s eligible to play starting Sunday when the Capitals close out their home-and-home with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Washington had a huge 5-1 win on Friday against the Bolts.

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Oshie, meanwhile, is out indefinitely and has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on Oct. 29 against the Nashville Predators. The 35-year-old skated just 1:51 minutes in the first period and appeared to be hurting during a power-play opportunity and pulled up during a backcheck on a breakaway against. He then went to the bench and went down the tunnel with assistance. Oshie has missed seven straight games and will miss the next three on the road as well.

Washington will also likely be without Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who was brought in off waivers to help fill the void up front in wake of numerous injuries. The 26-year-old will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for his illegal check to the head on Cal Foote, and it will likely result in a suspension.

Expect Connor McMichael or Joe Snively to draw in and get an opportunity. The Capitals return to game action on Sunday in Tampa Bay.