The Washington Capitals are on a quest to repeat as the Stanley Cup champions. Unfortunately, the defending NHL champions will be without top defenseman Michal Kempny for the postseason.
The team announced Kempny underwent surgery on his torn left hamstring and will be sidelined four-to-six months. That diagnosed time frame could linger through the start of the 2019-20 regular season.
Kempny fell awkwardly along the boards while sparring with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette on March 20. Kempny had to be helped off the ice, and had not played since.
Kempny, 28, joined the Capitals last season in a trade from Chicago before their run to the Stanley Cup. He re-signed with the Capitals on a four-year deal worth $10 million this past summer.
Kempny averaged just over 19 minutes of ice time in 71 games, collecting six goals and 19 assists. He had a career-high plus-24 rating while being primarily paired with John Carlson. Now, head coach Todd Reirden will have to find a suitable replacement to play opposite Carlson on the top pairing.
The Capitals have two games remaining on the regular season. Washington (102 points) are on the verge of clinching the Metropolitan Division.
