Photo: USA Today

Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov left the team’s practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, which the team said they’re being cautious with. Radko Gudas stepped into Orlov’s place on the second defensive pair. Orlov is expected to play when the Capitals face the Nashville Predators on Thursday night (8 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington)

Center Evgeny Kuznetsov reclaimed his spot on the second-line after the Capitals lost their second consecutive game (0-1-1) to the Dallas Stars by a score of 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday and Lars Eller was demoted.

Defenseman Michal Kempny, who has not played since March 20 and underwent hamstring surgery on April 2, led the Capitals’ post-practice stretch. He participated in some heavy contact drills during practice but will not play against the Predators. Head coach Todd Reirden did not give a definitive answer on whether or not he will play against the Stars on Saturday. Kempny said that he will likely need a few more practices before getting in the lineup.

Capitals Lines

Caps forward lines at practice:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Stephenson-Hathaway

*Kuznetsov practicing back as 2C

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) October 9, 2019

League News

• The Buffalo Sabres announced on Wednesday that forward Conor Sheary will be week-to-week with an upper-body injury
• Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Alex Galchenyuk and Patric Hornqvist are both day-to-day with undisclosed injuries

Capitals Today

CAPS TODAY: On Thursday, Nicklas Backstrom will be the fifth player in franchise history to play in 900 games. More info on Backstrom at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/pZph2NoKRs

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 9, 2019

By Harrison Brown