The Capitals have some lineup adjustments to make ahead of Thursday's tilt with the Penguins.
The Washington Capitals said their goodbyes to Joel Edmundson at morning skate on Tuesday, as the well-liked blueliner was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for picks as part of the team's pre-trade deadline sell-off.
It's a tough pill for the Capitals to swallow as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive, and head coach Spencer Carbery knows that the Edmundson deal — like the Anthony Mantha one two days before — weighs on the group, especially before a key Metropolitan Division showdown.
"Hate a losing a guy like Eddie, really well-liked in the locker room, plays hard, did a great job for us this year," Carbery said, adding, "It sucks; you don't want to lose anybody. you have strong relationships, you care about them... but at 7 p.m. tonight, you have to find a way in that time to get yourself focused mentally and physically in a good spot so you can perform at the highest level and play in an important game.
"... It's not telling anybody to not be human and have feelings, it's just saying that as we go through this and as we deal with the challenge and anxiousness of this week and what's gonna go on and the uncertainty of all that stuff... I'm shifting my mindset and I'm very, very mentally strong," Carbery added of the team's approach.
At the same time, the team has some lineup decisions to make following Edmundson's departure. Ethan Bear is the only extra defenseman available and figures to draw in, as Martin Fehervary remains out with a lower-body injury.
Nic Dowd will not play as he continues his recovery from an upper-body injury and is also awaiting word on whether or not he will be traded.
Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper is a game-time decision as he deals with an illness. The plan was for him to start with Charlie Lindgren also facing questions regarding his future in D.C. It's unclear if that'll be the same plan.
Washington faces Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. ET at PPG Paints Arena.