Forward T.J. Oshie said that while the procedures and protocols may be unpleasant, he and his teammates understood why they were in place given the state of the pandemic. He dismissed the idea that it seemed incongruous that players can mingle in close quarters on the ice and be on the bench maskless, but not away from the rink.
We control what we know we can control, right? I cant go out there and give my best effort if I am wearing a mask and cant breathe on the bench, Oshie said. At the same token, when were on the bus or doing other things where I can control that, thats where the rules are set in for us.
Laviolette was unaware if the Capitals had reported the incident themselves or if it had been uncovered by some other means, but said he believed that the league had learned more about it as a result of contact tracing from a positive case.
With the four players out, the Capitals will lose a top-line winger, a second-line center, the starting goalie and the second most-used Washington defenseman from their lineup. Ovechkin is one of eight players who have scored 700 or more goals, sitting one behind the Capitals legend Mike Gartner for seventh on the career list and 187 behind Wayne Gretzkys record. There are only 56 games on this seasons condensed schedule, as opposed to the usual 82, magnifying the importance of each contest.
The Capitals absences were just the latest instance of the virus affecting the season, which started last Wednesday.read more
Ovechkin and Three Other Capitals Out After Health and Safety Violation
