The Washington Capitals have announced that goalie Braden Holtby and defenceman Michal Kempny are both day-to-day with specific ailments. Holtby is out with an upper-body injury and Kempny is sidelined with an illness.
Ready for some riveting injury updates?
Evgeny Kuznetsov (upper body) is day to day. Braden Holtby (upper body) is day to day. Michal Kempny (illness) is day to day.
Haven’t heard officially on Oshie (upper body) yet, but willing to bet he’s day to day.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 15, 2018
Braden Holtby, Michal Kempny Out
Holtby was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. Pheonix Copley made his second start in as many nights in the 3-1 loss.
The Lloydminster, Saskatechewan native is 5-5-2 with a 3.24 goals-against-average. Holtby also has a .900 save percentage and one shutout so far in 2018-19.
He’s played for the Washington Capitals only in his nine-year NHL career. The 2015-16 Vezina Trophy winner is 230-94-37 in 374 career games. Holtby has a 2.44 GAA and .910 save percentage. The Washington Capitals originally drafted him in the fourth round, 93rd overall in the 2008 NHL draft.
Kempny also missed Wednesday’s matchup of Stanley Cup contenders with an undisclosed illness. Washington head coach Todd Reirden said that he hopes the Czech defenceman will be available later in the week.
Kempney has two assists for two points to go along with 16 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 51.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 3.7.
The 28-year-old has played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals in his three-year NHL career. He has five goals and 15 assists for 20 career points in 118 career games. Chicago signed Kempny as an undrafted free agent in May 2016.
Washington had to scramble to find a replacement for Holtby as they signed 6-foot-7 Gavin McHale as an emergency backup. He’s the goaltending coach for the University of Winnipeg’s women’s hockey team.
What This Means for the Future
It wasn’t a good night for the Capitals as they lost Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie after hard checks. The Caps sit tied for fourth in the Metropolitan Division.
Washington is hoping to have all players back in the lineup soon.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 15: Michal Kempny #6 follows in as goalie Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals makes a save on a shot by Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
