The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday that center Lars Eller was placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The 32-year-old missed the team’s morning skate at Honda Center prior to their game against the Anaheim Ducks (10 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington).
Center Garrett Pilon was recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Monday and will take Eller’s spot in between left-wing Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and right-wing Garnet Hathaway against the Ducks.
Eller has recorded a goal and four points during a three-game point-streak and has one goal and eight points in 15 games this season.
Per an NHL’s press release from last season, the reason a player is listed as “unavailable” due to COVID-19 protocol includes: (1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons.
This is the first time that a Capitals player has been placed on COVID-19 protocols this season.
The Capitals, who are also without center Nicklas Backstrom (hip injury), left-wing Anthony Mantha (shoulder), right-wing T.J. Oshie (lower-body), and center Nic Dowd (lower-body) from their forward group, visit the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night after stopping in Anaheim.
By Harrison Brown
