Goaltender Ilya Samsonov left the Washington Capitals’ morning skate on Tuesday due to injury after captain Alex Ovechkin hit him with a shot up high. The severity of the injury has yet to be determined. A shooter tutor has replaced Samsonov during the team’s skate.

Here’s what @KgriggsPhoto caught on video of Samsonov’s close shave. HC Todd Reirden says he took the Ovechkin shot, “to the head.” Samsonov was taken off as a precaution, get checked by doctors. Vitek Vanacek will be recalled to backup in case Samsonov isn’t cleared #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/FeFhfV2qqf — Chip Brierre (@Chip_Brierre) February 4, 2020

Samsonov had to be helped by Ovechkin and trainers to the locker room.

The 22-year old has started each of the Capitals’ past two games and ranks third in the NHL with a 2.21 goals-against average and ninth with a .923 save percentage in his rookie season. He had won 11 straight games before making 29 saves in the Capitals’ 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

Samsonov was hit with Ovechkin shot before leaving Capitals morning skate. Ovechkin said it was obviously an accident. Thinks he’ll be ok. — Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 4, 2020

The Capitals host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington) and since the team doesn’t play again until Saturday and that Goaltender Braden Holtby hasn’t started since the Capitals’ 5-4 loss to the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, he was going to start anyway.

Ovechkin and seller both told media in the locker room that Samsonov should be fine. To quote Ovi, “(Ilya) is a big boy, he’ll be all right.” #ALLCAPS — Chip Brierre (@Chip_Brierre) February 4, 2020

Head coach Todd Reirden said that Vitek Vanecek will be called-up from the AHL’s Hershey Bears in case Samsonov can’t back-up Holtby against the Kings.

With Samsonov out of practice, the Caps have found his fill-in for the time being. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ZBpu5yTCeR — Chip Brierre (@Chip_Brierre) February 4, 2020

By Harrison Brown

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