After getting recalled by the Washington Capitals in response to right-wing T.J. Oshie getting placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Sunday, left-wing Joe Snively took line rushes at the team’s morning skate and will likely make his NHL debut vs. the Los Angeles Kings at Capital One Arena (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market). However, Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette wouldn’t confirm that. Snively was born in Herndon, Virginia, which is 25 miles away from Capital One Arena.

Joe Snively on ice for morning skate in Oshie’s absence. @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/7AZZk7tLzU

— Kevin McNelis (@KMackSports) December 19, 2021

Right-wing Tom Wilson participated in practice and appeared to take some contact but did not take line rushes. The 27-year-old has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury after crashing into goaltender Tristan Jarry in the second period of the Capitals’ 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 10.

Wilson is still working with the extras after morning skate. Garnet Hathaway did not. Usually indicates who could be in/out of the lineup.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 19, 2021

Right-wing Garnet Hathaway also returned to MedStar Capitals Iceplex after missing five games on COVID-19 protocol but the team said he is still on it and did not take line rushes. However, Laviolette acknowledged that there is a possibility that both Wilson and Hathaway could return vs. the Kings. He added that they are still determining some things prior to puck drop.

Caps PP1: Carlson, Ovechkin, Sprong (bumper), Orlov (half wall), Eller (goal line).

PP2: Schultz, TvR, Protas, Sgarbossa, Sheary. https://t.co/HkZDSksa6n

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) December 19, 2021

Laviolette said that defenseman Trevor Van Riemsdyk and center Nic Dowd will play after missing Friday’s 5-2 win at the Winnipeg Jets on Friday due to Canada’s COVID-19 requirements.

dowder getting love from his home state pic.twitter.com/VWP0WyRiBY

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2021

Goaltender Vitek Vanecek was the first goalie off of the ice, indicating that he will start against the Kings after making 40 saves against the Jets.

Capitals goaltending coach Scott Murray was on the ice after being placed on COVID-19 protocol on December 9.

CAPS TODAY: With an assist against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, John Carlson passed Mike Ridley (547) for the eighth on the franchise points list. More info on the #Caps defenseman and Caps Clips at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/7SChVaqrW2

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 19, 2021

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By Harrison Brown