Capitals Lose Lindgren, Fehervary To Injuries In Opening Minutes Of Tilt With Islanders

The Capitals are playing shorthanded.

The Washington Capitals saw Charlie Lindgren and Martin Fehervary leave Friday’s game against the New York Islanders with apparent injuries.

Lindgren appeared to be shaken up after stopping a high shot from Brock Nelson in the opening minutes of the game. He spoke with trainers and stayed in, but ultimately left as Darcy Kuemper took over.

At the same time, Martin Fehervary went down hard behind the net after getting mixed up in a puck battle with Anders Lee. The Slovak blueliner was attended to by Jason Serbus before leaving the game.

Neither will return to Friday’s game due to what the team is calling upper-body injuries.

Washington would have to work some magic to make a goaltending recall for Saturday against the Nashville Predators if Lindgren isn’t good to go. Hunter Shepard would be the first choice and could even get the start with Kuemper set to finish the game on Long Island.

With regard to Fehervary, the team does have some options. Ethan Bear took warmups on Friday and appears like to debut on Saturday. Alex Alexeyev is also available, though van Riemsdyk, who appears to be the odd man out when Bear draws in, would likely stay in the mix as he can also play the left side.

Still, it’s a tough blow for Washington. Lindgren has been the Capitals’ bonafide No. 1 and one of the top performing goalies this season with a .928 save percentage. Fehervary, meanwhile, has been steady on the top pairing with John Carlson.