The already banged-up Washington Capitals saw two of their key players leave practice early on Thursday morning.
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun was seen chatting with trainers before heading back to the team’s locker room. Additionally, forward Justin Sourdif collided with linemate Connor McMichael, needing attention on the bench as he bled from his nose.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery had no immediate update on either player after the skate. “I’ll check in with Serbs (Capitals head athletic trainer Jason Serbus) shortly and see where they’re at,” he said.
Chychrun played 24:30 of ice time in a losing effort against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. Thursday’s skate is the second practice in less than a month in which Chychrun has departed early, though he has not yet missed a game due to injury.
The 27-year-old defenseman has recorded 32 points (15g, 17a) in 44 games this season. Chychrun is no longer the league leader in goals by a defender after Blue Jackets rearguard Zach Werenski scored his 16th of the year earlier this week.
Sourdif was held off the scoresheet against Dallas after having the biggest game of his professional career, five points (3g, 2a) against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
According to RMNB’s Katie Adler, the 23-year-old forward poked his head into the locker room after practice, sporting some gauze in his nose.
The Capitals are set to head out on a two-game road trip to play the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators. Many of the players and coaches will be joined by their dads for the team’s annual Mentors’ Trip.
On last year’s trip, the Capitals went 2-0, beating the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
