Washington Capitals` primary goaltender, Logan Thompson, is confirmed to start Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, despite sustaining an injury in the previous match.
This news was reported by Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman. However, the Capitals will be missing forward Aliaksei Protas, who has sat out the last nine games with a foot laceration and was a game-time decision for this contest.
Thompson`s availability was uncertain leading up to Sunday`s game, but he did participate in the team`s morning skate. According to Sportsnet`s Eric Engels, he did not speak with reporters afterward as he had not yet received medical clearance to play.
The 28-year-old netminder was injured during the third period of Game 3. The incident occurred when his teammate Dylan Strome collided with him as Montreal`s Juraj Slafkovsky scored. Charlie Lindgren finished the game for Washington.
Strome described the collision as an “unfortunate break.” Thompson required assistance to get off the ice and was unable to put weight on his left skate.
Thompson was the second goalie in the game to leave due to injury. Canadiens` starter Sam Montembeault departed in the second period with an apparent lower-body injury.
Jakub Dobes entered the game for Montreal, making seven saves on eight shots and helping his team to a 6-3 victory. Dobes is scheduled to start for the Canadiens in Game 4, as Montembeault has been ruled out and is listed as day-to-day.
Thompson, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights last June, finished the regular season with a 31-6-6 record, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage over 43 appearances. In the playoffs, he holds a 2-1 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .917 SV%.
Washington currently holds a 2-1 lead in this first-round playoff series.
