The Washington Capitals have won three straight games, including victories against two of the Eastern Conference’s best teams. In the afterglow of Alex Ovechkin’s hat trick for Alex Luey, a valuable member of the team’s backline returned to practice on Monday.
Swedish defenseman Christian Djoos, who has missed the Caps last six games due to an undisclosed injury, skated at full speed with his teammates.
The Djoos is loose, you guys.
According to The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan, Djoos spent practice on a pairing with Aaron Ness.
Looks like Djoos is skating on the extra pair with Ness. Caps don't play until Thursday.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 27, 2017
NBC Sports Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir reported that Djoos “looks good to go.”
A roster move will need to be made to clear a spot for Djoos, who looks good to go in his return to practice. #Caps pic.twitter.com/kc5191QLnf
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 27, 2017
“It’s just boring not playing hockey,” Djoos said to El-Bashir after practice.
“It’s just boring not playing hockey.”—Christian Djoos, who missed the past six games. pic.twitter.com/Hdwe0IdWam
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 27, 2017
Barry Trotz revealed that Djoos was cleared to join his teammates on the ice at Kettler, but not to play in a game yet.
Trotz said Djoos has been cleared to practice, but not play (yet). Caps are off tomorrow, but if Smith-Pelly feels better, he'll skate with Burakovsky and Djoos. Trotz said Eller will almost certainly be allowed to leave Canada by Thursday's game.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 27, 2017
Djoos is a possibility to play Thursday against the Kings. But Caps will do whatever is best for his long-term health. They're not in a rush to get him back in the lineup.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 27, 2017
The Capitals, who are the 23-player maximum, will need to clear a roster spot for Djoos to get him back on the roster. Candidates to be put on waivers include Aaron Ness, Taylor Chorney, Madison Bowey, Nathan Walker, and Tyler Graovac.
The Capitals also had two players missing from practice Monday. Devante Smith-Pelly missed practice due to the flu while Danish center Lars Eller was stuck in Canada handling visa/passport issues.
Smith-Pelly is sick not practicing. Eller stayed behind in Toronto to handle visa/passport issues. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 27, 2017
Caps say that the plan all along was for Eller to stay behind in Toronto to work on his visa/passport stuff. So, he didn't get trapped there.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) November 27, 2017
Injured forward Andre Burakovsky, who is scheduled to return in December due to a fractured thumb, appears to be progressing.
Burakovsky is not practicing today but he has been skating/shooting on his own. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 27, 2017
Defenseman Madison Bowey missed a brief part of practice after being struck in the face with a puck.
Bowey got lucky—a puck ramped up and went under his visor. Small cut over his eye but he’ll be fine. He finished practice after repairs. https://t.co/IHijZVwVDM
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikNBCS) November 27, 2017
This afternoon, the Capitals will visit Georgetown University Hospital. They have another scheduled day off Tuesday.
