Capitals Quick Hits: Carlson Out, Possible Forward Changes & More

WASHINGTON — As the Washington Capitals face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, they’ll do so again shorthanded, as John Carlson will miss his second straight game while the team also deals with more unfortunate injury news.

T.J. Oshie also remains out indefinitely. The team is also missing Nicklas Backstrom (hip resurfacing surgery), Tom Wilson (ACL surgery), Carl Hagelin (hip surgery) and Connor Brown, who will miss 6-8 months and likely the entire season after undergoing ACL surgery. Carlson is listed as day-to-day.

Carlson suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Saturday’s win over the Nashville Predators. The 32-year-old blueliner was trying to steal the puck from Zach Sanford and went down awkwardly in the corner. He got up slowly and skated one more seven-second shift before heading down the tunnel and not returning to action. Carlson didn’t play in Monday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Matt Irwin will remain in the lineup to fill in for No. 74. It will mark his second game of the season after he skated roughly 11 minutes against Carolina on Halloween. He played on the third pairing with Erik Gustafsson against the Hurricanes.

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As for other lineup changes, Charlie Lindgren will get the start and make his Captial One Arena debut. The 28-year-old has come up big in two starts for Washington so far this season. Darcy Kuemper will get the night off after a stellar 33-save performance against the Canes just 24 hours ago.

There also may be a change on the forward lines. Head coach Peter Laviolette wouldn’t reveal much but said the team is “working through some things” with regard to whether or not Joe Snively, who has played in one game this season, will draw in. Connor McMichael had gotten the chance to replace Oshie at forward but skated just 6:53 minutes on Monday and didn’t do much to stand out.

Washington hasn’t made any call-ups at this time.

Puck drop between the Capitals and Golden Knights is at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. D.C. will rock the blue “W” third jerseys.