The Washington Capitals could get some major reinforcements for their Game Three lineup against the New York Rangers. Defensemen Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen shed their non-contact jerseys before the team’s morning skate on Friday and have been deemed possibilities to play by head coach Spencer Carbery.
Both defenders suffered upper-body injuries late in the regular season and did not feature in the first two games of the Capitals’ first-round series against New York.
“I will find out post-practice,” Carbery said Friday. “This is a positive step, right? They’re not wearing non-contacts so they’re getting closer and closer.”
Sandin suffered a reported head injury against the Ottawa Senators on April 7 and has not played since, missing seven games. The Swedish defender averaged the second-most minutes per game of any Capitals skater during the regular season (21:07), so he could take some of the burden off of John Carlson who played nearly a full hour of ice time (58:13) in the first two games in New York.
Jensen’s skate was his first in a regular jersey since being stretchered off the ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 13. The veteran rearguard missed the team’s last four games and could provide a much-needed boost to the penalty kill, where he played the most on a per-game basis of any Capitals skater during the regular season (2:46).
If Sandin and Jensen do dress, here’s what the Capitals’ defense will likely look like.
Dylan McIlrath and Lucas Johansen would come out in favor of the two regulars. Hardy Häman Aktel remains a healthy scratch and Vincent Iorio is still completely on the shelf after his upper-body injury suffered in the Game One loss.
The Capitals’ warmup skate about half an hour before puck drop will be the best indication of whether Sandin and Jensen are good to go. Game Three’s puck drop at Capital One Arena is scheduled for 7 pm.
