Capitals Rip Rempe's Hit On Van Riemsdyk As Blue Line Takes Another Blow, 'Sick & Tired' Of Losing Defensemen: 'It Was A Dirty Hit'

WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals saw another key part of the blue line go down with injury on Friday, as Trevor van Riemsdyk left Game 3 against the New York Rangers after being hit up high by Matt Rempe after giving away the puck.

It marks the fourth defenseman the team has lost since April 7 to a big hit, as Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen and Vincent Iorio are also sidelined with injury, and the Capitals aren't happy about it.

"I’m sick and tired of losing defensemen to quote, 'clean' hits, though. That’s for sure," defenseman John Carlson said. "Whether it’s the end of the regular season or the playoffs, it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating how guys can get injured and it’s legal."

Related: Live From The Locker Room: Ovechkin, Capitals Stress Urgency On Brink Of Elimination, Wilson Critical Of Rempe, Team Down 0-3 To Rangers

Rempe received two minutes for interference, but there was no major penalty or any other review of the play.

Nic Dowd called it a "dirty hit," saying that Rempe knowingly went after van Riemsdyk when he was in a vulnerable position on the ice.

“I think anybody can understand that Riems made a play, timed pass, although quickly, and I think a player took advantage of another player in a vulnerable spot," Dowd added.

Tom Wilson also took exception to the fact that Rempe went in for the hit after van Riemsdyk had given away the puck.

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“I mean you guys have the stop watch up there. I haven’t watched it. I haven’t timed it out. I’ve been told you can’t hit that late. It’s a pretty late hit. It’s a target on one of our D," Wilson said. "You hate to see it. I think they’ll obviously look at it and take care of it. Seemed like a couple of steamboats late to me, but it happens fast out there.”

Van Riemsdyk left the game and did not return due to an upper-body injury. He did not take part in Saturday's optional skate.