Capitals Quick Hits: Carlson Game-Time Decision, Laviolette On COVID Protocol

ARLINGTON — The Washington Capitals got some good and not-so-good news ahead of Friday’s tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the team could see one of their injured names come back while head coach Peter Laviolette will miss Friday’s game.

John Carlson was taking part in rushes and on the first pairing for the Capitals with Erik Gustafsson, meaning that he will likely return against the Lightning. Carlson has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury he suffered on Oct. 29 against the Nashville Predators.

Meanwhile, Laviolette has entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, and will miss Friday’s tilt. Assistant coach Kevin McCarthy will serve as the bench boss against Tampa.

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Laviolette is the first member of the Capitals to enter the league’s COVID-19 protocol this season.

Here are the lines:

Alex Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Conor Sheary

Sonny Milano-Dylan Strome-Marcus Johansson

Anthony Mantha-Lars Eller-Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Aliaksei Protas-Nic Dowd-Garnet Hathaway

Erik Gustafsson-John Carlson

Martin Fehervary-Nick Jensen

Trevor van Riemsdyk-Matt Irwin

Darcy Kuemper will get the start. It will be his first game against the Bolts since beating them in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.