Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette told the media prior to Game 2 against the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena on Monday (7:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington locally, NBCSN nationally) that goaltender Vitek Vanecek, who left the first period of the team’s 3-2 overtime victory with a lower-body injury, is day-to-day.

While the Capitals will not announce their starting goalie, Craig Anderson, who made 21 saves on 22 shots in relief of Vanecek in Game 1, was in the first netminder off at the end of the morning skate.

Laviolette said that the Capitals are still working through some things when asked if center Evgeny Kuznetsov and goaltender Ilya Samsonov, who have not played since May 1 due to COVID-19 protocol, will suit up for Game 2. Kuznetsov was one of the first players on the ice on Monday morning. Both came off of COVIID-19 protocol over the weekend.

MORNING KUP OF KUZY: Evgeny Kuznetsov out on the ice for #Caps morning skate ahead of tonight’s game 2 against the Bruins @nbcwashington #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/1vGFOgdNfw

— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) May 17, 2021

Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy announced that defenseman Connor Clifton will replace Jeremy Lauzon for Game 2.

Capitals PP 1:

Carlson, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Mantha, Oshie

Capitals PP2:

Orlov, Schultz, Eller, Sheary, Wilson.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 17, 2021

Defenseman Michal Kempny, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, skated early in a no-contact jersey but did not participate in the team’s morning skate.

T.J. Oshie said he would call his dad on the way to the rink on game days, but has been calling his mom as of late. “It’s always in the back of my mind, I’m always thinking about coach.” #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vVGnBsE4RJ

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 17, 2021

Pheonix Copley was warming up before the morning skate, hinting that he could serve as the Capitals’ backup goalie for Game 2.

Capitals’ Game 2 Lineup

Capitals morning skate lines, D pairs and goalies

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Mantha
Sheary-Eller-Raffl
Sprong-Oshie-Wilson
Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway

Orlov-Carlson
Dillon-Schultz
Chara-Jensen

Anderson
Copley
Samsonov

Extras: Kuznetsov, Carr, TvR, Fehervary.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 17, 2021

It is unknown what the Bruins’ lineup will be for Game 2.

Nick Jensen joins Rinkside Update to discuss the recent success of the penalty kill and the continued emphasis on defense ahead of Game 2 tonight at Capital One Arena.#CapsBruins | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/idp5K2Hem2

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 17, 2021

Links

Capitals Today
Game Notes

By Harrison Brown