During the Capitals optional skate Tuesday morning ahead of their game against the San Jose Sharks, defenseman Christian Djoos, who is recovering from surgery after suffering from compartment syndrome, took to the ice in a light blue, non-contact jersey.

Last week, Djoos was on the ice before the team practiced, so the non-contact jersey suggests Djoos could be back to fully participating in practice and playing with the team soon.

Since Djoos went down with the injury against the Detroit Red Wings on December 11, he’s missed 18 games.

In his absence, the third pairing on defense has mostly consisted of a rotation between Brooks Orpik, Madison Bowey, and Jonas Siegenthaler, testing the defensive depth of the reigning Stanley Cup champs.

In addition to Djoos’s progress, Brooks Orpik participated in Tuesday’s skate after using yesterday as a maintenance day.

Braden Holtby will start against the Sharks after Sunday’s fiasco in Chicago, and Todd Reirden is tinkering with his bottom six forwards and third pairing on defense. Devante Smith-Pelly, Nic Dowd, and Madison Bowey will be the scratches tonight, indicating Dmitrij Jaskin, Travis Boyd, and Jonas Siegenthaler are in.

Seems that DSP, Dowd and Bowey are the scratches tonight.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 22, 2019

Headline photo: @Capitals