The Washington Capitals announced on Saturday that defenseman Trevor Van Riemsdyk was placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

The team has yet to recall any defensemen from the AHL’s Hershey Bears and Matt Irwin did not participate with the extras during the team’s morning skate, hinting that the 33-year-old could make his Capitals debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market).

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.

The Capitals are also missing center Nic Dowd due to COVID-19 protocol. He missed Friday’s practice due to illness before being placed on COVID-19 protocol.

The Capitals could get right-wing T.J. Oshie (has missed six straight games and 16 of the last 17 with two different lower-body injuries) and left-wing Conor Sheary (has missed past six with a lower-body injury) back against the Blue Jackets and right-wing Garnet Hathaway, left-wing Carl Hagelin, and defenseman John Carlson are all expected to play after missing Friday’s practice due to maintenance.

By Harrison Brown