Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who suffered a left-arm injury Friday against the New York Islanders, returned to the ice on Monday for the first time.
Kuznetsov is considered day-to-day by the team. Head coach Barry Trotz expects the star player to be back before the playoffs begin.
Video
.@Kuzya92 on the ice early for practice this morning #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/YHdkQdP2J3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 19, 2018
Video: @Capitals
Kuznetsov (upper body) is on the ice ahead of #Caps practice. Doing some skating and light puckhandling. About to start ‘Camp Nemo.’ pic.twitter.com/fd3aKAIEoN
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 19, 2018
Video: @TarikNBCS
According to NBC Sports Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir, Kuznetsov skated full throttle but was not able to do too much stick-handling and shooting.
Kuznetsov is not shooting the puck with much vigor, but he's been skating hard. Still, it's probably a sign that he won't be out too long. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) March 19, 2018
Kuznetsov left the ice before practice began.
Doesn't look like Kuznetsov will be joining Caps for practice. He was doing a little puck handling, but not much.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 19, 2018
A day after tallying his first NHL point while centering the top line, Travis Boyd was placed on the third line for practice. Nicklas Backstrom has been reunited with Alex Ovechkin again and will center the first line along with Tom Wilson.
Caps lines today
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Burakovsky-Eller-Oshie
Connolly-Boyd-Vrana
Stephenson-Beagle-DSPChiasson
Orlov-Niskanen
Djoos-Carlson
Kempny-JerabekHoltby
Grubauer— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 19, 2018
Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik, who missed Sunday’s game as well, did not practice on Monday.
No Brooks Orpik (lower body) for Caps practice after he sat out game in Philadelphia on Sunday
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 19, 2018
Orpik is expected back sooner than Kuznetsov.
Barry Trotz said Orpik (lower body) is expected to skate tomorrow morning. Said Orpik is closer to being ready to play than Kuznetsov. Both remain day to day.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 19, 2018
Headline photo: @Capitals
