Capitals Recall Mitchell Gibson, Assign Clay Stevenson To AHL
With the next few days off, the Capitals have made a couple of moves on the goalie front. The team announced that they’ve recalled Mitchell Gibson from AHL Hershey while assigning Clay Stevenson to the Bears.
Gibson is in his second full professional season and spent the bulk of the year with ECHL South Carolina. In 14 games with the Stingrays, he played quite well, putting up a 1.75 GAA and a .933 SV% while winning his only start with Hershey. However, he has played just three times for the Bears over the last two years which might not help his cause heading into restricted free agency this summer.
As for Stevenson, he made his NHL debut in the final game of the regular season but otherwise has played exclusively with the Bears in each of the last two years. In 33 games with Hershey this season, he posted a 2.94 GAA along with a .888 SV%, numbers that were considerably worse compared to a year ago when those checked in at 2.06 and .922, respectively.
The move will essentially serve as a swap of third-string goaltenders, allowing Stevenson to potentially see game action with Hershey during their second-round series against Lehigh Valley. Before their series against Carolina gets underway, there’s a good chance this move will be reversed.
Tom Wilson's Physicality Again Supporting Capitals
- Washington Capitals power forward Tom Wilson‘s physicality has been a key catalyst in the team’s first-round matchup against the Canadiens, writes The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber. As Silber notes, Wilson delivered a big hit on Alexandre Carrier that led to the game-tying goal in game four, which the Caps would go on to win 5-2. Washington is now just one win away from moving on to the second round. While the hit has drawn speculation as to its legality, no penalty was called, and momentum was clearly shifted toward the Capitals. As Wilson said after the game: “It’s been a physical series both ways, getting hit, giving hits, they’ve been really physical, so it’s a long series. You just try and kind of invest and continue to play hard every shift you’re out there. It was a big hit and the boys were able to score right after. That’s the way hockey goes.” It was the second consecutive game Wilson’s physicality came into play. In game three, Wilson and Josh Anderson engaged in a wrestling match that ended up spilling into Washington’s bench. Both players received roughing minors and 10-minute misconducts and were also assessed $5,000 fines for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Dylan McIlrath Fined By Department Of Player Safety
- Similarly to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj, the Department of Player Safety has fined Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath $2,018.23 for unsportsmanlike conduct in yesterday’s pre-game warm-up. Again, the league didn’t share any specifics of the altercation, but video footage indicates the two sharing words with several members of the opposing teams.
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Capitals’ Aliaksei Protas, Logan Thompson To Be Game-Time Decisions
Sunday’s morning skate was more than encouraging for the Washington Capitals. Starting goaltender Logan Thompson took the ice and practiced in full just two days after sustained a knee injury in the waning minutes of Game 3. Thompson seemed down for the count after an awkward collision with teammate Dylan Strome, and Washington seemed set to turn towards backup Charlie Lindgren for the remainder of the First Round. But after Sunday’s practice, both Thompson and forward Aliaksei Protas – who has missed nine games due to a laceration on his foot – will be game-time decisions for Game 4, per NHL.com’s Dan Rosen.
The Capitals will be thrilled at the prospect of getting their hard-nosed starter back. Backup Lindgren has performed well enough when called upon this season, with a 20-14-3 record and .894 save percentage. But his performances have paled in comparison to the breakout season that Thompson managed. He recorded a dazzling 31-6-6 record and .910 save percentage in 43 starts this season. That save percentage ranks as the 11th-highest from any Capitals starter since 2000. He’s ranked behind four Braden Holtby seasons; one season from each of Olaf Kolzig, Tomas Vokoun, and Jose Theodore; and sprinkles of breakout years from Lindgren and Michal Neuvirth.
But Thompson’s seemed to shine just as bright, if not brighter, in the spotlight than many of his predecessors. He’s recorded a .917 save percentage through three playoff games this year – even despite allowing five goals in his last outing – and managed a .921 in four games of the Vegas Golden Knights’ run last season. Holding onto that level of play in the starter’s crease could be pivotal as Washington looks to buck a Game 3 loss and wrap up their first round series.
Protas will be just as dramatic of an addition. The 24-year-old forward had his own breakout campaign this year, scoring a career-high 30 goals and 66 points in 76 games – more than a full lap over the six goals and 29 points he scored in 78 games last season. Protas was the perfect fit in Washington’s top-six, offering a lumbering frame and quick cuts in the middle lane to compliment the fast-moving Connor McMichael or heavy-shooting Alex Ovechkin on the flanks. He will step straight into Washington’s top-six should he return for Game 4, likely bumping Taylor Raddysh or Brandon Duhaime out of the lineup in the process.
Aliaksei Protas Close to Return For Washington
Montreal Canadiens starting goalie Samuel Montembeault is being evaluated after leaving Friday’s game three victory over the Capitals, per NHL.com reporter Dan Rosen.
Charlie Lindgren Expected To Start Game Four For Capitals
Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery didn’t provide an injury update on Logan Thompson today, but did seem to clear a path for Charlie Lindgren to start game four against the Canadiens on Sunday, per NHL.com reporter Dan Rosen.
Thompson had a rough game three in multiple ways. He not only let in five goals but also collided with teammate Dylan Strome in the third period that resulted in his exit from the game. While his exact injury isn’t known, it appeared Thompson may have suffered a leg injury (though he also seemed to hold his head following the collision). And while Carbery didn’t provide an update on Thompson’s status, he did seem to clarify who would be between the pipes for game four. As Rosen notes, Carbery told reporters, “It’ll be next man up for us and we know ‘Chucky’ Lindgren. He’s done a great job. He’s a great goaltender.”
While Lingren provides a solid veteran option for Washinton for the short term, his .894 save percentage this past season, in addition to his lack of playoff experience (four career starts), probably isn’t inspiring many within the organization if Thompson does miss significant time.
And while Thompson also doesn’t own a lot of playoff experience (seven career starts), he is coming off of a Vezina-candidate regular season where we produced a 31-6-6 record to go along with a .910 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average. His return to health, as well as efficiency, will be key to Washington’s Stanley Cup aspirations. The 27-year-old owns a career .912 save percentage and a 137-87-38 record.
Josh Anderson, Tom Wilson Fined For Unsportsmanlike Conduct
For their part in a game three incident, Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson and Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson were both fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, per an NHL release.
The fine is the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. As players prepared to enter their respective locker rooms at the end of the second period, Wilson and Anderson engaged in a wrestling match that ended up spilling into Washington’s bench. Both players received roughing minors and 10-minute misconducts. Multiple players joined the fracas, and Washington’s Lars Eller and Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj were also assessed minor penalties. For his part, Wilson also took the opportunity to mock Montreal players directly following the incident.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told reporters following the game that the situation was, “Just two competitive teams, two competitive guys going at it.” He added that when the second period concluded, he was making his way to the locker room when he needed to reverse course to avoid Anderson and Wilson coming into Washington’s bench.
These types of situations are not uncommon for Wilson, who has been suspended five time in his career in additional to several fines he’s accumulated over the years. Playing on the edge is also what has made Wilson a successful power forward for the Caps. His 2,368 career hits only trail teammate Alex Ovechkin in Washington history, while his 835 career games rank eighth in team history.
Anderson has also played a physical brand of hockey over his career, though this represents the first fine of his career (he did receive a two-game suspension for boarding in 2022). With the Canadians pulling away to a 6-3 win in game three, and drawing closer in the series, it will be interesting to see if there is a follow-up between the two physical forwards as the series progresses.
Capitals Assign Ilya Protas To AHL
One of Washington’s top prospects could soon be getting his first taste of playing in the pros. The Capitals announced that they have reassigned winger Ilya Protas from OHL Windsor to AHL Hershey.
The 18-year-old was a third-round pick last June, going 75th overall after a solid first season in North America with USHL Des Moines after previously playing in Belarus’ junior program. Having had some success with his brother Aliaksei (who had a breakout year with the Caps this season), Washington felt Ilya, who stands 6’5, was worth a mid-round look as well, making them the second set of brothers to be drafted by the team in franchise history (the others being Yvon and Rick Corriveau).
It’s a pick that certainly looks promising not even a year later. Protas moved to the major junior level this season with the Spitfires and was nothing short of dominant, notching 50 goals and 74 assists in just 61 games, good for second in the OHL in scoring. He became the first player since Alex DeBrincat to pot 50 goals in his first OHL campaign.
That production didn’t slow down in the playoffs either. He is the leading scorer of the postseason thus far after tallying five goals and 20 assists in just a dozen postseason contests.
Hershey has yet to begin its playoff run as the team is awaiting the end of the opening round (or play-in series) to see who their first opponent will be. It will be interesting to see if Protas will get a look at some point or if he’ll primarily serve as injury insurance.
Capitals' Aliaksei Protas Could Return For Game 3
5:30 PM: Protas will not play in Game 3 on Friday, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. He will target a Game 4 return, while the Capitals will continue forward with Taylor Raddysh in the lineup.
4:00 PM: The Washington Capitals could be in store for a major addition to their postseason lineup, as top forward Aliaksei Protas continues to work his way back from a foot injury. Protas returned to full-contact practice on Friday morning and could step back into the lineup in Game 3, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News. He has missed Washington’s last eight games after being cut by a skate on April 4th.
Protas was on the tail end of a loud breakout season at the time of his injury. He ranked third on the Capitals in scoring at the time, with 30 goals and 66 points in 75 games. He’s confidently lapped the six goals and 29 points he scored in 78 games last season. That rise in scoring has been largely helped along by Protas’ shooting percentage rising from 5.3 percent to 21.1 percent this season. But despite the inflated shooting percentage, Protas looked perfectly at home in the Capitals’ top-six and should return to a major role as soon as he’s back to full health. Protas recorded two assists in four playoff games last season – and will look to carry his booming shooting percentage into must-win games.
Aliaksei Protas Traveling With Capitals To Montreal For Games 3 And 4
- Capitals winger Aliaksei Protas is inching closer to a return and will at least travel with Washington for Games 3 and 4 in Montreal, head coach Spencer Carbery said (via Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network). The breakout Belarusian hasn’t played since sustaining a skate cut on his foot on April 4. Washington has overcome the loss of his 30 goals and 66 points so far with a 2-0 series lead, but a return would be big news nonetheless to help close the door for Montreal to gain momentum.