Washington Capitals defensman Dmitry Orlov was cleared from the NHL’s COVID protocols, along with team captain Alex Ovechkin. They’re available to play but head coach Peter Laviolette is uncertain if the pair will play in Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins.
Speaking to the media following the morning skate, Orlov doesn’t sound too ready to play right away.
Orlov and Ovechkin last played on Jan. 19 before being placed on the league’s COVID absence list along with Evgeny Kuznetsov and goalie Ilya Samsonov on Jan. 20. Kuznetsov and Samsonov remain in quarantine.
Orlov and Ovechkin spent 10 days in quarantine. Orlov called the situation “tough,” as he was at home unable to skate or be with his family. If he or Ovechkin are to play Saturday night, they’ll do so with just one morning skate.
