For the first time this season, the Washington Capitals will take to the ice without Anthony Mantha. Samantha Pell confirmed that Mantha is a healthy scratch Sunday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It appears he was a casualty of two regulars returning to action, as Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson are set to make their season debuts.
Capitals Anthony Mantha is indeed a healthy scratch tonight vs Columbus, Laviolette confirms. Backstrom and Wilson in. Kuemper in net.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 8, 2023
The timing of Mantha’s benching is a little curious.