The Washington Capitals will be without Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov for at least four games after they violated the NHL’s coronavirus protocols on the team’s season-opening road trip.
To find success moving forward — with another matchup with Buffalo on Friday — it’s imperative to clean up the inconsistent play that has cropped up for the Capitals so far this season.
The NHL announced 27 players had tested positive during training camp, with 17 of those players on the Dallas Stars.
When the puck drops on the regular season in five rinks Wednesday, it will be the start of a 56-game sprint to the playoffs with all divisional play until the semifinals. That will ramp up the rivalries, reduce travel during the pandemic and make this a once-in-a-lifetime chase for a title.
In front of Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek are a slew of experienced defensemen.
Washington has 10 days in camp to learn new coach Peter Laviolette’s system, jell with new teammates and prepare for Jan. 14’s season opener.
“Sammy understands it’s going to be a big role for him this year. And coming in, I think he’s prepared for it.”
The Washington Capitals captain said he’s in no rush for talks to take place over a new contract.
The Washington Capitals opened training camp Sunday and will skate as a team Monday, together for the first time since their first-round playoff loss in August.
MLB
A stickless Chandler Stephenson was credited with the game-winning goal, Robin Lehner made 30 saves and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 on Monday night.
Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and an assist, leading the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.
Jake Allen made 25 saves in his first game with Montreal, Shea Weber got his first goal of the season and the Canadiens beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 Monday night.
John Gibson made 33 saves in his 20th career shutout, and Nicolas Deslauriers scored early in the third period of the Anaheim Ducks' 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.
Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 shots, Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored with 4:09 remaining and the New York Islanders beat the Boston Bruins 1-0 in their home opener Monday.
Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Vincent Trocheck each had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 Monday night.
Jordan Kyrou got the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period, Justin Faulk scored twice and the St. Louis Blues rallied to beat the San Jose Sharks 5-4 Monday night.
Making a surprise start in net, Carter Hutton was backed by the scoring burst Buffalo needed to get in the win column.
Mitch Marner scored twice and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 Monday night.
Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 shots for his 29th career shutout, Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored with 4:09 remaining, and the New York Islanders beat the Boston Bruins 1-0 in their home opener Monday.
Alexandre Texier and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored 1:16 apart early in the third period to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a two-goal lead and they held on to beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Monday.
The hockey world championships were pulled from Belarus on Monday following pressure from opposition groups and a threatened boycott by sponsors.
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
Jake Guentzel beat Ilya Samsonov in the fourth round of a shootout and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Sunday for their first victory of the season.
Keith Yandle got his 100th career goal, Chris Driedger made 23 saves and the Florida Panthers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Sunday night.
Casey DeSmith felt the puck at his feet, looked down to confirm it was indeed the case then exhaled as his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates poured over the bench in the middle of an empty arena to congratulate their backup goaltender, the one hardly playing like a backup.
The International Ice Hockey Federation will make a decision in the coming days on whether to pull its world championship from Belarus as pressure increases from sponsors over a crackdown on opposition groups in the country.
