Report: Ilya Samsonov tests positive for coronavirus originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov has tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday, according to the Washington Post's Samantha Pell.
The team reportedly learned of the positive test after their loss to the Penguins Tuesday night. Samsonov, who evidently didn't play in the game, went into solation immediately and remains in Pittsburgh as he continues to follow the NHL's health and safety protocols.
Samsonov was one of four Capitals players placed on the NHL's COVID protocol-related absence list on Wednesday. Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Evgeny Kuznetsov will miss at least the next four games, while Samsonov may have to miss more time as he recovers from the virus.
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Samsonov's positive test triggered contact tracing within the Caps' locker room, which led the league to discover that Samsonov, Ovechkin, Orlov and Kuznetsov spent time socializing in the team hotel without face coverings on multiple occasions. The NHL fined the Capitals $100,000 for the violation.
It remains to be seen whether Ovechkin, Kuznetsov or Orlov also tested positive for COVID-19. The NHL absence list doesn't specify whether the player is on there for a positive test or contact tracing. As Nastya Ovechkin revealed on Instagram Thursday, her husband and Orlov have COVID-19 antibodies.
The Capitals' next game is scheduled for Friday against the Sabres. As of this writing, the game has not been postponed.
