The Capitals lost Logan Thompson to injury in Game 3. (Eric Bolte — Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8ebee60d-8d22-4f03-9262-7fe5c8c48841.jpeg] The Capitals lost Logan Thompson to injury in Game 3. (Eric Bolte — Imagn Images) Shaking off a disappointing 6-3 loss in Game 3, the Washington Capitals held an optional practice on Saturday and have put Friday's showing behind them. All the while, they're pivoting their plan in net as they await word on Logan Thompson. Coach Spencer Carbery didn't have an update on Thompson, who was injured and left Friday's game after a collision with Dylan Strome in the third period. However, he spoke at length about the ability of Charlie Lindgren, who is expected to start Game 4 after relieving Thompson. "It'll be next man up for us, and we know Chucky Lindgren. He's done a great job, he's a great goaltender," Carbery said. "There's no concern there of our group having a letdown or our staff having a lack of confidence. We got two great guys." Lindgren and Clay Stevenson took part in the optional skate at Bell Centre, as Thompson did not skate. There is still no official word on the nature or severity of Thompson's injury, though it appeared he'd hurt his left leg after being unable to put much weight on it as he left the ice. Meanwhile, in more positive news, Aliaksei Protas continues to gear up and could make his return to the lineup on Sunday for Game 4. He's officially a "full go" at practice, per Carbery, and the team will see how he is feeling at morning skate before making a decision from there. Protas has been recovering from a skate cut to the foot [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/latest-on-aliaksei-protas-after-capitals-winger-suffers-skate-cut-to-foot-vs-blackhawks] that has kept him out since April 4. Getting the 6-foot-6 forward back would be a huge boost; he ranked third on Washington in scoring this season with a career-high 30 goals and 36 assists for 66 points in 76 games, and he's a major asset at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill. As Washington returns for Game 4, it will look to keep its emotions in check while trying to take a 3-1 series lead. "Part of what maeks us successful and why we've had so much success is because we're an emotionally invested team every single night... you're going to get a firey, competitive group every day," Carbery said, adding, "There is a line to that. That's where I felt we had to stay in the moment... you have to ride a line there."
