Capitals Make Blue Line Shuffles As Carlson Enters COVID-19 Protocol

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just 24 hours after being cleared following test results on Long Island, Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson has entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and will miss Sunday’s matinee with Vancouver.

Carlson joins Conor Sheary and assistant coach Blaine Forsythe on that list. On the bright side, Carl Hagelin and Dmitry Orlov came out of protocol and will return on Sunday after missing the last six days.

Through 38 games this season, No. 74 has eight goals and 32 points. He ranks sixth among NHL defensemen in scoring.

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With Carlson out, Nick Jensen will earn the promotion to the top pairing and take Carlson’s place alongside Martin Fehervary. Meanwhile, Trevor van Riemsdyk will move back to his original right side to play with Orlov. Irwin will stay in the lineup and stay in his spot on the third pairing alongside Justin Schultz.

Ilya Samsonov gets the start for Washington after Vitek Vanecek played on Saturday, dazzling with a 23-save shutout in a 2-0 win over New York.

The Capitals are also missing another key piece in T.J. Oshie. He suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday’s victory and will not play.