📸: Alan Dobbins/RMNB
The Washington Capitals finished the last 6:44 of their 1-0 shutout victory over the New York Rangers without one of their top centermen.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, who was manning the team’s second line with wingers Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson, left the ice at Madison Square Garden late in the third period. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery did not have much of an update on Dubois’ status postgame.
“Yeah, we’ll evaluate him and see where he’s at,” Carbery said. “Left the game and did not return.”
The Capitals will return home for an off day on Monday before hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena on Tuesday night. Any update on Dubois will likely come after the team’s morning skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex ahead of the game.
Dubois, who has yet to record a point in three games this season, played 15:31 of ice time against the Rangers and recorded one shot attempt, one individual scoring chance, one hit, and a drawn penalty. The 27-year-old pivot was clearly frustrated with his game in the third period, when he gave the Capitals’ bench a one-two punch combo.
If Dubois has to miss any time due to the injury, the Capitals will likely need to recall a forward from the Hershey Bears. Hendrix Lapierre, who played in the team’s first two games, was the lone healthy scratch up front against the Rangers.
After the Capitals play the Lightning on Tuesday, they have two days of practice before hosting the Minnesota Wild on Friday night.