The Capitals released the team's 31-player travel roster on Sunday and, as was confirmed on Saturday, Ilya Samsonov was not among the players headed to Toronto.
Per NHL rules, each team is limited to 31 players. Up to 28 of those players can be skaters, but teams are allowed an unlimited number of goalies. In addition to Samsonov, Shane Gersich and Garrett Pilon were also left off the travel roster.
Here is the full roster:
The Capitals official roster for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/DB0eSRoUuR
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) July 26, 2020
RELATED: REIRDEN CONFIRMS SAMSONOV'S ABSENCE IS DUE TO INJURY
With Gersich and Pilon off, the Caps' skaters will consist of 18 forwards and 10 defensemen.
Samsonov suffered an injury prior to training camp and did not participate in any of the practices. Head coach Todd Reirden confirmed on Saturday that the team intended to travel four goalies, but with Samsonov out, the team is now down to three with Pheonix Copley and Vitek Vanecek serving as backups to Braden Holtby.
Both of the team's last two first-round draft picks -- Connor McMichael and Alex Alexeyev -- will be traveling. The purpose of bringing them is to give them valuable experience in learning how NHL players prepare and handle the rigors of the playoffs. Neither is expected to play, but long playoff runs can often necessitate teams reaching deep down on the depth chart.
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Capitals playoff roster: Ilya Samsonov left off travel roster for Toronto originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
