Samsonov Leaves Capitals Practice With Apparent Injury

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals netminder Ilya Samsonov left practice early with an apparent injury on Wednesday.

Samsonov took a shot up high and appeared to be hurting. He was clutching his chest and shoulder area as he skated over to the bench. He then made his way across the ice, doubled over, before skating off to the dressing room. It’s unclear if he will return.

The team has Vitek Vanecek in one net and had shooting trainer in the other with practice still ongoing. Assistant coach (video) Brett Leonhardt eventually came onto the ice to fill in for Samsonov.

Through 32 games this season, Samsonov is 17-9-3 with a .901 save percentage and 2.93 GAA. He last played on Monday against Toronto but was pulled after allowing three goals on the first 10 shots against in the opening frame.

This is the second day that the Capitals have seen a player go down with injury at practice. Carl Hagelin was injured at the end of Tuesday’s skate after taking a stick up high to the face. He left the ice with a towel to his face and in visible discomfort. He is not at Wednesday’s practice.