The Washington Capitals are expected to get No. 1 defenceman John Carlson back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they will be without head coach Peter Laviolette.
Carlson, who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Oct. 31, missed six games after being placed on injured reserve.
The 32-year-old Carlson was skating on the top pairing and his usual spot on the top power-play unit at the morning skate.
He was hurt during a game against the Nashville Predators leaving in the first period and did not return.
Carlson is one point shy of the 600-point career milestone and has two goals and six points in nine games this season.
Laviolette was placed in the NHL's COVID protocol, which will sideline him for the next two games against the Lightning.
Assistant coach Kevin McCarthy will assume head coaching duties with Laviolette unavailable.
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