The Washington Capitals will be without three star players when they take on the Colorado Avalanche Friday, as forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie, as well as goaltender Braden Holtby, will all be unavailable for the game.
All three are listed as day-to-day with upper body injuries.
Holtby will miss his second consecutive start after not dressing for Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. Pheonix Copley will likely start against the Avalanche, his third consecutive start, while former first-round pick Ilya Samsonov has been recalled from AHL Hershey to backup.
In 13 starts this season, Holtby has a 5-5-2 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.
Kuznetsov was injured early in Wednesday’s game against the Jets after forward Brandon Tanev connected with his head on a hit. Tanev was given a two-minute penalty on the play, and Kuznetsov only skated one more shift before leaving the game late in the first period.
Kuznetsov has six goals and 21 points in 18 games this season
Oshie was injured late in the game against the Jets after getting tangled up with defenceman Josh Morrissey while fighting for the puck in the corner. Morrissey didn’t get a penalty on the play but was given a fine by the department of player safety for his actions.
In 18 games this season, Oshie has nine goals and 14 points.
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