For Game 4, the Capitals will have their main goaltender in net.
Washington`s starting goaltender, Logan Thompson, is slated to start against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, despite an injury sustained in Game 3 on Friday. This was confirmed by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
However, the Capitals will play without forward Aliaksei Protas, who has missed the last nine games with a foot laceration and whose game status was a pre-game decision.
Thompson`s availability for Sunday`s game was uncertain, but he participated in the team`s morning skate. According to Eric Engels of Sportsnet, he was unavailable for comment after practice as he had not yet been cleared to play.
The 28-year-old Thompson was injured in the third period of Game 3 when teammate Dylan Strome collided with him as Montreal`s Juraj Slafkovsky scored. Charlie Lindgren finished the game.
Strome called it “an unfortunate turn of events” because Thompson needed assistance to leave the ice and could not put weight on his left leg.
Thompson was the second goaltender to leave the game due to injury, following Canadiens` starter Sam Montembeault who exited in the second period with an apparent lower-body issue.
Jakub Dobes entered the game, stopping seven of eight shots, helping Montreal secure the 6-3 victory. Dobes is set to start for the Canadiens on Sunday since Montembeault is unavailable. His condition is listed as day-to-day.
Thompson, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights last June, recorded a 31-6-6 record, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage in 43 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he holds a 2-1 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
Washington leads the first-round series 2-1.
Game 4 coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.
