Capitals’ Matt Roy leaves game with lower-body injury

It isn’t exactly clear what led to the alternate captain’s premature exit. His last shift came with a little over five minutes remaining in the second period, but when the final frame started, Roy wasn’t seen on the bench. The team later confirmed that he wasn’t going to return to the game.

The Capitals went on to drop a 3-1 decision to their former Southeast Division rivals. Roy didn’t post a point in the loss, registering just 14:22 of ice time across 16 shifts, the least amount of ice time among Washington blueliners in the contest.

It was the Caps’ second game of the season. Roy was in the lineup for the season opener on Friday night, when Washington came away with a 5-2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Roy played 22:29 in the victory, but didn’t put his name on the scoresheet.

While it’s too early to tell the severity of his injury, Roy does have some time to recover, as the Capitals are off until next Wednesday, when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 31-year-old is in his third season in the U.S. capital. After five seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, the Detroit native signed with the Capitals as a free agent. After five consecutive seasons with at least 20 points, Roy’s production took a dip last season on a Washington team that struggled, posting just two goals and 19 points in 79 games.

In 518 regular-season games in the NHL, Roy has notched 29 goals and 120 assists for 149 points, with another eight points in 28 Stanley Cup Playoff contests.