Big veteran out as Caps head into Anaheim

John Carlson will miss a second straight game with an upper body issue, a huge hole on the Washington blue line.

The 35 year old has six goals and seventeen assists for twenty three points so far this season, plus a tidy plus ten rating.

Justin Sourdif is officially a game time decision with a lower body injury after missing Thursday in San Jose. The 23 year old winger has three goals and three assists in his rookie Capitals season, bringing energy to the bottom six.

Sourdif arrived in Washington this summer from the Florida Panthers, who drafted him in the third round, 87th overall, back in 2020.

He signed a two year deal worth eight hundred twenty five thousand per season, and quickly carved out penalty killing and forechecking minutes.

Without Carlson, the top pair of Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy has taken heavy minutes and quietly become one of the league's better duos.

When they are on the ice at five on five, Washington has outscored opponents twenty three to five, which is bordering on video game territory.

Logan Thompson gets the crease tonight after resting in San Jose, riding four straight wins and a two point zero two goals against average.

The latest clarity came from reporter Bailey Johnson on Friday, noting Carlson remains out, Sourdif is a game time call, and Thompson will start.

Anaheim has been feisty, hovering near the playoff bubble, so Thompson should see plenty of Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, and net front chaos.

Washington brings a 17 9 and 2 record and nine wins in ten games into Friday, so expectations are understandably climbing.

Without their minute eating anchor, the Capitals will lean on quick outs through Roy, extra help from centers, and clean touches on defensive zone retrievals.