WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
Coach Todd Reirden updated Kempny’s status Friday.
In an overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Kempny’s left leg bent awkwardly as he went down to the ice during a tussle with Lightning forward Cedric Paquette in the second period. Kempny needed help from trainers to get to the locker room, and it looked like he was not putting any weight on his left leg.
With Kempny out and the Capitals up against the salary cap, 24-year-old Christian Djoos goes into the lineup alongside All-Star John Carlson. Djoos played on Washington’s third pairing in the playoffs last year on the way to winning the Stanley Cup.
Kempny has six goals and 19 assists in 71 games this season and has averaged 19:11 of ice time.