UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Washington Capitals forward Eric Fehr will not play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round series Tuesday against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum (7:30 p.m. ET; USA, SN360, TVA Sports 2, CSN-DC, MSG+).
Fehr played 1:19 on Sunday in Game 3 of the series, a 2-1 overtime loss, before leaving with an upper-body injury after a hit by Islanders forward Kyle Okposo.
“[Fehr] is out for the next two games, and we will re-evaluate that after,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said after practice Monday.
Fehr has played in all three games in the series and played in 75 during the regular season, when he scored 19 goals and had 33 points.
Washington goalie Braden Holtby said Fehr was one of the Capitals' most important players.
“He’s been huge,” Holtby said. “He has been one of our, if not our best two-way player. He plays every role. Works hard, he’s battled through a ton of injuries but that shows his character. He has been outstanding for us.”
Forward Jason Chimera echoed that sentiment.
“[Fehr is] one of our unsung heroes,” Chimera said. “He has done everything well for our team. His penalty kill, his power play. He is great five-on-five. He plays against some of their players too so. … I hope he is back soon.”
Trotz admitted it is a big loss but said that’s a part of hockey.
“He plays a pretty good role for us,” Trotz said. “He’s done a lot of stuff on the PK, 5-on-5. Been a little bit of a checking guy. He’s just been one of those quiet guys who has gotten it done. It’s a loss but you are going to lose people along the way.”
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