NHL fines Capitals $100K for violating COVID-19 protocols

The NHL fined the Washington Capitals $100,000 for not adhering to the league's COVID-19 rules.

The Capitals committed "player violations of the league’s COVID‑19 protocols which involved social interactions among team members who were in close contact and who were not wearing face coverings."

Shortly after fining the team, the NHL added Washington forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, goaltender Ilya Samsonov, and defenseman Dmitry Orlov to its COVID Protocol-Related Absences list, according to The Washington Post's Samantha Pell.

Not long after that, the Capitals provided details.

"We are disappointed by our players' choice to interact in their hotel room and outside of team-approved areas," the club said in a statement. "We accept the NHL's decision and once again will reiterate the COVID-19 protocols in place to make sure the players are in full compliance moving forward."

Ovechkin said in his own statement that he regrets interacting with his teammates in such a manner, pledging to "learn from this experience."

Being listed doesn't necessarily mean the players tested positive. A number of scenarios are possible, including mandatory quarantine for symptomatic individuals, being a high-risk close contact, or travel reasons.

No other clubs are being probed for flouting the same rules, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

The Capitals are the first team to violate the NHL's COVID-19 protocols this season.