Carlson will miss his eighth consecutive game with a lower-body injury, but he is not expected to be out much longer. Look for Carlson to be back in the lineup next week—his first chance will come on Thursday when the Capitals take on the Canucks.

Carlson was always considered doubtful for today’s matinee but now he has officially been ruled out of his seventh consecutive game. He remains questionable for Sunday’s contest. The Capitals will not have a morning skate, so we won’t know Carlson’s status until head coach Barry Trotz meets with the media.

Carlson has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury and is expected to miss both games this weekend. It sounds like he defiantly will not play on Saturday, but Sunday remains a possibility.

Carlson will miss his sixth straight game with a lower-body injury on Thursday. Carlson’s movement to IR is retroactive, so he will be able to return to the lineup whenever he is healthy. They put him on IR to create a roster spot to officially sign Mike Richards.

Carlson will travel with the team on their road trip, but will not play tomorrow against the Bruins. Carlson skated this morning which is a great sign, so look for him to join the team later in the week and monitor his status prior to Thursday’s contest.

Carlson has missed the last four games, but skated in sweat pants prior to practice on Monday. His absence for practice and his lack of pads suggests that he isn’t close to returning and won’t play on Tuesday vs. the Bruins.

Backstrom left after playing just 14:35 (averages 19:16) and did not return to the Capitals’ bench after leaving. Because the Capitals have a back-to-back, Backstrom’s status for Thursday’s game is up in the air. They won’t have a morning skate, so expect an update closer to puck-drop.

Carlson was listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game, but will not miss at least a couple of games with a lower-body injury. This is a huge blow to the Capitals blueline, who will get Aaron Ness from Hershey (AHL) to act as their seventh defenseman while Carlson is out.

Carlson took warmups, but was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Connor Carrick will replace him.

Carlson was listed as a game-time decision, but he is on the ice for warmups, which is a good sign that he will play his 413th consecutive game. He has emerged as one of fantasy hockey’s best defensemen, so make sure he’s in your lineup.

Carlson sustained a minor lower-body injury on Saturday and is listed as a game-time decision for Monday’s game. Carlson’s iron man streak is in jeopardy of coming to an end—he has appeared in 412 consecutive games. Puck-drop is at 7 p.m, so monitor his status when warmups get underway at 6:30 p.m.

Fucale, a second round pick (36th overall) in 2013, has played very well in his first season in the AHL. The 20-year-old has gone 7-2-2 with a 3.12 GAA and .907 SV% in 12 games with St. John’s and gets a chance to be in the NHL while Carey Price is out. Montreal doesn’t have a back-to-back until next Wednesday—Thursday, so don’t expect to see Fucale until then.

McIlrath played well in the two games he was in the lineup, but will come out for Dan Boyle tonight. McIlrath has no points and 24 PIMS in six games this season. It shouldn’t be long until McIlrath gets back into the lineup.