Capitals' Anthony Mantha a Healthy Scratch vs. Blue Jackets

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. The 28-year-old has points in three of his last four games, bringing his season total to nine goals and 14 assists.…