Capitals-Flyers Postponed Due To Caps’ COVID-Related Issues; Sprong, Schultz Pulled From Skate

Due to ongoing COVID-19 issues affecting the Washington Capitals, Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers has been postponed.

The Capitals’ morning skate was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. prior to their showdown against Philly before the NHL’s pause starting on Wednesday. Daniel Sprong and Justin Schultz were both pulled from the skate after test results, per the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell. Tom Wilson was taking line rushes and likely would have dressed. Washington also recalled Brett Leason on Tuesday. Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie all remain on COVID-19 protocol. Mike Sgarbossa was also on that list; however, he came off protocol on Monday after a false positive.

Tampa-Vegas is the last remaining game on the schedule for Tuesday. As of right now, the Bolts and Golden Knights will still play.

On Monday, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to pause the 2021-22 season starting on Wednesday and lasting through Saturday, Dec. 25. Teams can resume practices no earlier than 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 26, and players must test negative to enter team facilities. As of now, the regular-season schedule will continue on Dec. 27.

If all goes according to plan, the Capitals’ first game back will be on Monday at home against the Ottawa Senators.

Per Bally Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland, sources indicate that the NHL will use the Olympic break in the February schedule to make up the postponed games, likely meaning the NHL will not be sending its players to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics.