The Djoos will not be loose Thursday in Denver.
23-year-old rookie defenseman Christian Djoos missed practice Wednesday after being unable to finish Tuesday’s game in Nashville. Djoos suffered an “upper-body” injury at some point during the Caps’ 6-3 loss and did not return after leaving the the game in the second period.
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#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media after a practice day in Colorado. #CapsAvs tomorrow night. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/a1izEtd4gc
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 16, 2017
“[Djoos] won’t play tomorrow,” head coach Barry Trotz confirmed after the team’s skate. “I don’t have a timeframe.”
When asked if the team would consider calling up someone from the farm, Trotz said no.
“I’m happy,” Trotz said. “We have Nisky back. He fills a hole if Christian’s not in. I’m happy with the group that we have.”
Veteran defenseman Taylor Chorney will replace Djoos in the lineup against the Western Conference’s fourth-worst team.
According to the Capitals’ Mike Vogel, Chorney has played in 14 of the team’s first 19 games this season after appearing in just 17 of 82 contests in 2016-17. Chorns sat out Tuesday’s game and has seen less regular ice time as Djoos and Madison Bowey have taken bigger roles on the team.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into it that everybody’s not seeing everyday,” Chorney said of being the team’s seventh defenseman. “You’re just kind of staying ready and mentally staying sharp. You never really know when you’re going to get the call. It is nice when you get a stretch of games and you get consistent minutes and build some confidence. As you go forward if you get taken out again, at least you can fall back on that and know that you had that stretch where you felt good and pick up where you left off.”
Puck drop between the two teams will be 9 PM (EST) Thursday.
Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk
