Capitals Face Injury Challenges with Leonard and Lindgren on IR

The Washington Capitals have placed both goaltender Charlie Lindgren and forward Ryan Leonard on injured reserve, as confirmed by multiple sources including ESPN and Deadspin. Lindgren, who has been a key part of the team in his tenth NHL season, suffered an upper-body injury and was a late scratch before a recent game against the Anaheim Ducks.

He has a record of 5-3 with a 3.11 goals-against average this season. Leonard, the rookie forward selected eighth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, also has an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Jacob Trouba.

According to head coach Spencer Carbery, Leonard is expected to miss an extended period of time, which could impact the Capitals' playoff aspirations. Leonard has contributed 18 points in 29 games this season, showcasing his potential as a promising young talent.

In response to the injuries, the Capitals recalled forward Bogdan Trineyev and goaltender Clay Stevenson from their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, to bolster their lineup moving forward. The Capitals currently sit at 17-9-3 with 37 points, leading the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference, but these injuries pose a significant challenge as they aim to maintain their performance.