Capitals' Nic Dowd placed in COVID protocol

Capitals center Nic Dowd has entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol ahead of Washington’s game Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, per a team tweet. He did not practice on Friday, according to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.

It continues what’s been a rough season health-wise for Dowd, who’s already spent time on injured reserve and has been limited to 16 out of Washington’s 24 games. It’s not been all bad news for the Alabama native, however, as he inked a three-year extension with the Capitals last month.

In those 16 games, Dowd has played extremely well, recording three goals and four assists for seven points. He’s averaging 14:03 per game, an elevated role due to the onslaught of injuries the Capitals have faced early on in 2021-22.

Michael Sgarbossa, who has a goal in four games this season, will likely draw into the lineup. He’s Washington’s only remaining extra healthy skater.

In terms of players with NHL experience in the minors, Axel Jonsson Fjallby or Garrett Pilon could be called up, but they would both require waivers to be sent back down to the AHL’s Hershey Bears.