Michal Kempny Injury Update

Photo: FanSided

Defenseman Michal Kempny is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the team said on Thursday.

Kempny left the Capitals’ 4-0 win at the St. Louis Blues following a hit to the head from Blues’ defenseman Robert Bortuzzo 45 seconds into the third period. The 28-year old defenseman left the game and did not return.

With Kempny (upper body) not practicing with Caps today, Djoos is with Carlson in second pair and Bowey with Orpik.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 27, 2018

Losing Kempny is a big blow to the Capitals. After being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2018 third-round draft pick, he tallied two goals, three assists in 24 games with the Capitals during the regular season. He was a +1 during the regular season with the Capitals. Kempny recorded three goals and 10 points along with a +14 rating in 53 games with the Capitals and Blackhawks in 2017-18. In 24 playoff games, he tallied two goals and five points. Kempny was also a +1 during the playoffs.

Kempny signed a four-year contract with the Capitals on June 29, two days before he was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

He found a home alongside defenseman John Carlson, who also signed a new contract extension over the summer, last season and fit in perfectly with the 28-year old defenseman. The two made up Washington’s top shutdown pair during the playoffs.

Defenseman Christian Djoos skated in Kempny’s spot on Thursday while defenseman Madison Bowey skated on the third-pairing with Brooks Orpik.

Capitals lines and D at practice today. (probably opening night lineup).

Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Vrana-Backstrom-Oshie
Burakovsky-Eller-Connolly
Stephenson-Dowd-DSP

Orlov-Niskanen
Djoos-Carlson
Orpik-Bowey

Holtby
Copley

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 27, 2018

Reirden did not rule him out for opening night against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.

Reirden didn’t rule out Kempny (upper body)for opening night.

“He’s day to day and we’ll continue to evaluate him and see how he’s doing. I’m still looking to get an update later today.” https://t.co/fL5SIX8KhE

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 27, 2018

Bortuzzo, 29, will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety this afternoon and has been suspended once previously for boarding in 2014 when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was also fined at the end of last season for crosschecking.

The Capitals have two more preseason games before opening the regular season against the Bruins.

By Harrison Brown