Capitals Injury Updates: Latest On Fehervary, Kuemper, Orlov

The Washington Capitals will see three key pieces miss Monday’s tilt with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers as Darcy Kuemper, Martin Fehervary and Dmitry Orlov continue to work through injuries.

Kuemper and Fehervary are day-to-day with upper-body injuries they suffered in Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames. Fehervary went on the injured reserve, so he will miss seven days and at least the next three games.

The 23-year-old blueliner took a big hit along the boards from Milan Lucic and left the ice in visible discomfort before heading straight down the tunnel. He did not return and was seen postgame at Scotiabank Saddledome in a sling.

Through 26 games this season, Fehervary has two goals and two assists, along with 39 blocks and 83 hits, which lead all Capitals defenders. He had goals in back-to-back games before the injury.

Minutes after Fehervary’s injury, Kuemper took an elbow to the head from Tyler Toffoli. The two exchanged slashes, and after that, Kuemper pulled himself out of the game, saying he didn’t feel right.  It’s a big loss for Washington, as Kuemper has started 20 games and has an impressive .916 save percentage. He is not on the IR, though, which is a positive sign, and he is still day-to-day.

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With Kuemper on the shelf, Washington recalled Hunter Shepard from the AHL’s Hershey Bears to backup Charlie Lindgren. Lindgren has a .890 save percentage and a 2-3-2 record. Meanwhile, Shepard will dress in his first NHL game.

Orlov will miss his 13th straight game in Edmonton, per head coach Peter Laviolette. He is on the injured reserve as he continues to deal with a lingering lower-body injury. However, he did join the team on its road swing and has been skating, indicating he could be back sooner rather than later.

The 31-year-old, who is in a contract year, hasn’t played since leaving action on Nov. 5 against the Arizona Coyotes. Orlov has five assists and a +/- of plus-1 in 13 games this year.

In total, Washington is dealing with eight injuries. Nicklas Backstrom (hip resurfacing surgery), Tom Wilson (ACL surgery), Connor Brown (ACL surgery), Carl Hagelin (hip surgery) and Beck Malenstyn (hand surgery) are also on the shelf.

The Capitals face the Oilers at 8:30 p.m. ET.