The Washington Capitals will have their primary goaltender available for Game 4.
Despite suffering an injury in Game 3 on Friday, Washington`s starting goaltender, Logan Thompson, is confirmed to start against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, according to Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman.
However, the Capitals will be missing forward Aliaksei Protas, who remains out with a foot laceration and has missed the last nine games, despite being considered a game-time decision earlier.
Thompson`s availability was uncertain before Sunday`s game, but he participated in the team`s morning skate. Sportsnet`s Eric Engels reported that Thompson was not cleared to speak to reporters after practice as his playing status was still pending.
Thompson, 28, sustained his injury in the third period of Game 3 when teammate Dylan Strome collided with him as Juraj Slafkovsky of Montreal scored. Charlie Lindgren completed the game in goal.
Dylan Strome described the collision as an “unfortunate break,” noting that Thompson required assistance to leave the ice and couldn`t put weight on his left skate.
Thompson was the second goalie forced to leave the game; Canadiens starter Sam Montembeault exited in the second period with an apparent lower-body injury.
Jakub Dobes replaced Montembeault, making seven saves on eight shots as Montreal secured a 6-3 win. Dobes is scheduled to start for the Canadiens on Sunday, with Montembeault listed as day-to-day and ruled out for the game.
Thompson, who joined the Capitals from the Vegas Golden Knights last June, had a strong regular season with a 31-6-6 record, a 2.49 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage across 43 games. In the playoffs so far, his record is 2-1 with a 2.73 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
Washington leads the first-round series 2-1.
Tristan Blackwood