Caps D John Carlson questionable, F Connor McMichael to play vs. Flyers
Jan 15, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) shoots the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson is questionable to host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday because of a lower-body injury.
The Capitals will have forward Connor McMichael, who will be activated from injured reserve after missing four games before the Winter Olympics break due to an upper-body injury.
Carlson, 36, an All-Star in 2019 and 2020, was injured in the last game before the Olympic break, a 4-2 home win over Nashville on Feb. 5. Carlson skated on his own in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday, Washington coach Spencer Carbery said.
"He's day to day," Carbery said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow and then we'll assess for tomorrow night."
Carlson has 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists), a plus-11 rating, 26 penalty minutes, 84 blocked shots and 20 hits in 55 games this season.
For his career, all with the Capitals since 2009-10, Carlson has 771 points (166 goals, 605 assists), a plus-114 rating, 390 penalty minutes, 2,179 blocks and 944 hits in 1,143 regular-season games. He also has 78 points (21 goals, 57 assists) in 137 playoff games, including the 2017-18 Stanley Cup championship season.
Washington selected Carlson with the 27th overall pick of the 2008 NHL Draft.
McMichael, 25, last played on Jan. 29 in a shootout win at Detroit.
He has 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists), a plus-6 rating, 16 penalty minutes, 30 blocks and 30 hits in 55 games.
McMichael has 139 points (61 goals, 78 assists), a plus-2 rating, 116 penalty minutes, 130 blocks and 162 hits in 292 regular-season games since the 2020-21 season.
The Capitals picked McMichael with the 25th overall selection of the 2019 draft.
--Field Level Media
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