Matthew Phillips misses practice after being hobbled by blocked shot late in win over Golden Knights

The Washington Capitals secured a hard-fought 3-0 win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night. One of the standout moments was when forward Matthew Phillips made a crucial shot block in the third period.

However, the following day during practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, Phillips did not join his teammates on the ice.

After the practice, head coach Spencer Carbery revealed to the media that Phillips’ absence was due to the shot block. Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any long-term injury as Carbery labeled it as a maintenance day.

Phillips played a total of 13:52 during the game, earning a promotion to the top-six forward group and forming a line with Sonny Milano and Dylan Strome. In his first season with the Capitals, the 25-year-old rookie has accumulated four points (1g, 3a) in 14 games.

Following the win against Vegas, Carbery emphasized Phillips’ defensive contributions in a postgame locker room speech.

Running through a brick wall for our brick wall#ALLCAPS November 15, 2023

“And also, someone’s fighting his ass off for us all night to get a shutout,” Carbery said. “[Number] 45 blocks a f#$%ing shot.”

Phillips couldn’t hide his smile as he received the praise. Tom Wilson then gave him a pat on the back as Nicolas Aube-Kubel proudly displayed Phillips’ left leg, which he used to block the shot.

The Capitals are scheduled for a day off on Thursday and will return to practice on Friday.

“We’ll be back in full force, so we’ll have a clearer picture of who will be ready to play on Saturday,” Cabery added.

Saturday’s game will be at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Capitals currently have 13 forwards and are preparing for Anthony Mantha’s return from injury in case Phillips is unable to play beyond Wednesday.

Headline photo: Alan Dobbins/RMNB