Capitals defensemen John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov returning to face Golden Knights

The Washington Capitals will have some familiar faces back in the lineup for Monday's home game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Per Tom Gulitti of the NHL's website, Washington defenseman John Carlson skated Monday and is on track to play against Vegas. Carlson missed four consecutive games due to the league's COVID-19 protocol and hasn't been in action since a win at the New York Islanders on Jan. 15. 

"I think you just try to do the best you can," Carlson said of his fitness levels heading into Monday's contest. "I felt good this morning, but who knows what tonight will bring? I think people know what they can and can't do out there and I think we'll find out pretty quickly how I feel and what I need to do to be my best with that."

Additionally, Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov is set to play coming off the two-game suspension he received for kneeing and hurting Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers last week. Fellow defenseman Nick Jensen will miss his second straight outing and is considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury. 

According to ESPN stats, Carlson is third on the Capitals with 32 points, while Orlov is tied for fifth with 19 points. Washington begins the week fourth in the Metropolitan Division standings but only three points back of the first-place New York Rangers.