Logan Thompson Hits the Shelf as the Capitals' Season Teeters on the Brink

NHL injury reporting is a beautiful, chaotic art form. The Washington Capitals just announced starting goaltender Logan Thompson is out "day-to-day" with a lower-body injury, which in hockey terms means his leg could be slightly bruised or completely detached from his torso.

Daily Faceoff broke the news that Thompson is hitting the shelf right as the Capitals are desperately trying to cling to the Eastern Conference playoff race. Washington called up Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears to stop the bleeding, but losing your primary netminder is a brutal blow for a team that has already dropped six of its last seven games.

"Daily Faceoff reported Thompson is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury."

Before his body decided to betray him, Thompson was actually putting together a rock-solid campaign. He is sitting on an 18-16-4 record with a 2.46 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. Those numbers are exactly why he was recently named to Team Canada for the upcoming Olympics, joining guys like Jordan Binnington and Darcy Kuemper.

The timing here is objectively hilarious if you hate the Capitals, and deeply depressing if you are a fan. Washington is currently sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division and eight points out of the final Wild Card spot. They are already missing Connor McMichael week-to-week and have Matt Roy on injured reserve. You cannot make up an eight-point deficit when half your starting lineup is watching the game in street clothes.

For anyone looking at the betting markets, Washington is officially a massive risk until further notice. Stevenson has exactly one game of NHL experience, where he gave up five goals on 38 shots to the Pittsburgh Penguins last April. Backing a rookie goalie behind a struggling, injured roster is a great way to set your money on fire.

Head coach Spencer Carbery claims Thompson is strictly day-to-day, meaning he could theoretically be back before the Olympic break. Until then, the Capitals have to survive a brutal upcoming stretch, starting with a matchup against the Nashville Predators, while hoping their season does not completely evaporate before their starting goalie gets back on the ice.