The Washington Capitals held an optional practice on Sunday morning after their massive 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning vaulted them back into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The win was an important one, but the biggest story of the night was Nick Jensen’s scary injury that saw him stretchered off of the ice late in the first period.
Head coach Spencer Carbery had a positive update on Jensen postgame and the veteran rearguard was spotted walking around MedStar Capitals Iceplex before Sunday’s skate. Carbery spoke about Jensen again after the practice, noting that the defender is still doing well but has been ruled out of the final two games of the regular season.
“He was in the facility today, so that was positive,” Carbery said. “Really good to see him able to leave and not have to go to the hospital and was able to go home and stay at his house last night. Everything was good from that standpoint.”
The Capitals recalled defenseman Dylan McIlrath from the Hershey Bears to extend their defensive depth amidst a slew of absences on their blue line. Rasmus Sandin is also expected to miss the last two games of the season while Ethan Bear remains in the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program.
“[McIlrath’s] been up here, played a game for us earlier this year,” Carbery said. “I think from opponents’ type of games that we’re going to be playing in, I think he makes a lot of sense. I think from a leadership experience standpoint, coming into these situations and not being overwhelmed by the moment, I think he fits the bill, as well.”
McIlrath joins fellow Hershey regulars Vincent Iorio and Lucas Johansen, who Washington recalled after Sandin and Bear were taken out of the lineup. The 31-year-old blueliner has the most experience of the three with 73 NHL games under his belt over the course of 13 full professional seasons.
The former first-round draft pick captained the Bears to a Calder Cup last spring, winning the championship for the first time in his career. He has nine points (3g, 6a) in 58 games for the AHL-leading squad this season.
“It’s exciting,” McIlrath said. “Kind of what you dream of as a kid, playing in these big, important games. Whatever my role is, whether I’m in the stands or on the ice, I’m going to enjoy it all. It’s been a long journey, definitely have a lot of experience. No one is going to replace Nick Jensen – just have to play a simple, hard game and stick to the structure.”
The Capitals will kick off a back-to-back to end their regular season on Monday night against the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are coming off a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins that allowed the Capitals to reclaim the second wild card playoff position.
