The Washington Capitals [furiously knocks on wood] are getting healthy.
Thursday morning, every injured Caps player skated during practice except injured forward Andre Burakovsky, who sat on the bench in street clothes anyway.
Barry Trotz’s lines for practice saw several changes as Chandler Stephenson moved up to the second line, Jakub Vrana dropped to the third, and Nathan Walker pushed out of the lineup.
#Caps lines: 8-92-25; 18-19-77; 13-20-43; and 87-83-39. Stephenson moves up to the second line, while Vrana drops to the third.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 9, 2017
But the big story was the injured Capitals who were able to skate during practice. The Caps, who have been out-attempted in a majority of their games this season, are struggling without the same forward and defense depth they had last season.
“They’re all day-to-day,” Trotz said of the injured players Tuesday night before the Caps played Buffalo. “They’re getting from week-to-week to day-to-day type of situations. So, they’re getting their conditioning ramped up. They’re feeling better from whatever injuries they have. Hopefully we’ll start getting one at a time into the lineup here.”
Thursday, Brett Connolly suited up for practice the first time since suffering a concussion against the Vancouver Canucks. Connolly absorbed a big hit from Erik Gudbranson that forced him out of the last six games.
Brett Connolly (concussion) is going to practice with the team today. Has missed six games.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 9, 2017
Connolly revealed to the media that he was cleared by doctors, but is unsure if he’ll suit up Friday against defending-champion Pittsburgh.
Connolly said that was his first concussion. He's cleared, but doesn't know if he'll play tomorrow.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 9, 2017
Matt Niskanen, arguably the Capitals best defenseman, is also nearing a return. Niskanen has been sidelined since October 13 with an upper-body injury. Thursday Niskanen revealed he’s still struggling to find his timing.
Matt Niskanen discusses returning to #Caps practice today. pic.twitter.com/PxLcOaAOPi
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 9, 2017
“It was fun to be out there,” Niskanen said. “I’m a step behind, but it was really fun to be with the guys again and it’s a good sign that I’m a little bit closer.”
“I don’t think [it’s] conditioning,” Niskanen continued when asked how he could improve. “My lungs felt pretty good. It’s just timing and getting up to full speed again probably is going to be the biggest adjustment as far as getting ready for games.”
The defenseman’s injury appears to be a left thumb ailment, as he was spotted wearing a cast on the afflicted finger during the Caps Dog Calendar shoot.
Photo: Cara Bahniuk
Meanwhile, Madison Bowey, who Trotz said was kept out against Buffalo as a precautionary measure, is good to go for Friday. His lower-body injury is no longer troublesome.
Tyler Graovac, who is on long-term injured reserve after suffering an upper-body injury in mid-October, skated in a grey non-contact jersey.
Graovac, Connolly and Walker are all in gray jerseys, which would seem to signal those three being extras. Think we're going to see Stephenson replace Vrana in top six.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 9, 2017
Trotz revealed that there would be competition for several players to remain on the roster. The team, once everyone comes back, will be over the 23-man limit.
Trotz on the #Caps’ improving injury situation: “There’s a lot competition for 23 spots. …The competition is back and that’s good for any hockey team.”
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 9, 2017
Judging by Trotz’s lineup decisions over the last month, players that could be on the bubble include Graovac, Walker, Liam O’Brien, and Aaron Ness.
Caps 365 | Getting healthier – Niskanen, Connolly, and Graovac all participated in practice and are designated as day-to-day. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bszQ0BpVtA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 9, 2017
Headline photo: @Capitals
