The Washington Capitals announced prior to Friday’s game against the Dallas Stars (9 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market) that defenseman Michal Kempny has been placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and right-wing Joe Snively has been recalled from the taxi squad. 

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.

Kempny has one assist, a -1 rating, a career-worst 47.44% Corsi-for percentage, a career-low 46.64% expected goals-for percentage, and a career-worst 48.65% scoring chances-for percentage in seven NHL games this season. He has averaged 19:15 per game, including 2:05 on the power-play (third on the team). The 31-year-old has also recorded seven assists in 24 AHL games.

With him expected to be out of the lineup, expect Matt Irwin to draw in.

Snively has recorded 38 points (15 goals) in 35 games with Hershey this season and leads the team in points and goals. He also leads the team and is second in the AHL in shorthanded goals with three. The 26-year-old recorded an assist in his NHL debut on Dec. 19, 2021 against the Los Angeles Kings and became the first player in franchise history to play for the team as a native of Virginia.

By Harrison Brown