The flu has hit the Caps at a pretty inopportune time. In the midst of a four-game losing streak – and a longer stretch of five games with one goal or less – six different players are dealing with an illness that swept through the team over the last 24 hours. Brooks Laich, Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Semin, Boyd Gordon and John Carlson all missed practice on Friday morning. Meanwhile, Mike Green left the ice early, too. The illness isn’t restricted to the players, either. Strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish and team services manager Ian Anderson are both sick – even the locker room attendant at Verizon Center caught the bug, according to Caps coach Bruce Boudreau.
“It usually goes through the room when you’re having a bad time, too,” Boudreau said.
Boudreau wasn’t sure if the players had been sick for a few days or took ill after the game last night. But the team is being cautious with three games in four nights. AHL affiliate Hershey is in Charlotte for a game tomorrow night, but at least one and maybe two players could be recalled. If defenseman Jeff Schultz (broken finger) is placed on long-term injured reserve that opens up one roster spot for a minor-league recall. Defenseman Tyler Sloan is eligible to come off injured reserve on Sunday in time for the game against the Rangers, if needed.
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