Center Lars Eller, who missed the Washington Capitals‘ 3-2 double-overtime loss in Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, skated during the team’s optional practice.
Head coach Peter Laviolette told the media that he is encouraged by the progress Eller had made but is unsure of his status for Game 4.
Laviolette said he is unsure if Lars Eller will be able to return to the lineup tomorrow night for Game 4. #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 20, 2021
Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who returned in Game 3 after missing seven games on COVID-19 protocol, confirmed he tested positive for the virus for the second time this season and added that he felt better this time around.
Kuznetsov suffered multiple symptoms. The 28-year-old had not heard of many people who got COVID-19 twice and said it was not easy to get his conditioning back.
Laviolette said that he played forward Daniel Carr over Daniel Sprong in Game 3 because he was looking for a player who could start more in the defensive zone and make more of an impact defensively. He added that he thought Carr played well in that role on Wednesday.
Laviolette said he was looking for more of a defensive presence in playing Carr instead of Sprong in Game 3. He said he was pleased with Carr’s game last night. #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 20, 2021
Goaltender Craig Anderson returned to the ice after resting on Wednesday due to body maintenence.
Capitals players at optional skate today: Craig Anderson, Pheonix Copley, Lars Eller, Daniel Sprong, Connor McMichael, Daniel Carr, Martin Fehervary, TvR
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) May 20, 2021
NBC Sports Washington’s Capitals play-by-play voice Joe Beninati got nominated for the Capital Emmy Award. The award winners will be revealed on June 26 at the 63rd National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Emmy Awards.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said he did not anticipate any injuries on his side sustained in Game 3 but will not be sure about that until the team hits the ice prior to Game 4 on Friday (6:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington locally, NBCSN nationally). When asked about forward David Pastrnak specifically, Cassidy responded “I think he’s fine.”
The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
By Harrison Brown
