The Washington Capitals‘ depth in net has taken a big hit.
The team’s stud rookie netminder, Ilya Samsonov, was hurt before the NHL started resuming activities following its pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic and won’t travel to the league’s Eastern Conference hub in Toronto, according to Samantha Pell of The Washington Post.
The 23-year-old, who was selected by the Capitals 22nd overall in 2015, will continue undergoing treatment in Washington and is expected to be healthy for the 2020-21 campaign.
Samsonov was second among rookie netminders with 16 wins, third in save percentage at .913 and second in goals-against average at 2.55 in 26 appearances.
The Capitals will now have to rely heavily on impending unrestricted free agent Braden Holtby, who struggled in the starter’s role with a .897 SVV% and 3.11 GAA for the Metropolitan Division leaders.
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