Okay, so the Caps have some decisions to make. We’re assuming Mike Green (concussion symptoms) and Tom Poti (groin) are out for tomorrow night’s game with Buffalo. Neither has played for weeks, though each appears to be progressing. Now we’re down to seven NHL defenseman. But Dennis Wideman is hurt, too, thanks to a severe hematoma and was still in the hospital as of Thursday. Okay, down to 6. John Erskine is dealing with an injury, too, after playing just one shift in the second period on Thursday. Uh, oh. Now we’re down to five healthy defenseman and Washington needs some help. Erskine’s undisclosed injury – he fought Columbus forward Jared Boll – isn’t a long-term issue, but the team will have to make a decision tonight.
“I never thought about it. I wish he hadn’t of fought,” Bruce Boudreau said. “I really never think that someone is going to get hurt in a fight, even though that’s really archaic thinking because people do get hurt in a fight.”
Boudreau said his team has options. A recall from AHL Hershey makes the most sense if Erskine can’t go. He didn’t want to get into names. But a forward playing defense – Brooks Laich anyone? – is a possibility, too. Boudreau said there were several factors taken into consideration: experience, standings position, who best fits the next opponent.
So Tyler Sloan – who, let’s be honest, has one of the tougher jobs on this team – suddenly goes from being a consistent scratch to extended playing time. As we stood next to his stall in the dressing room after practice, assistant coach Bob Woods came over and asked Sloan if he wanted to do a video session this afternoon or after the morning skate tomorrow. Sloan chose Friday. When you’ve played just 31 games all season it probably helps to get a jump on things.
“I think when you’re not playing and as time goes on and you’re not playing, not playing, not playing you tend to get a little bit complacent,” Sloan said. “So I’m trying to get out of that and making sure that I do everything crisp and hard and at top speed in practice to prepare for games.”
Sloan played in just two games between Nov. 22 and Feb. 8. He saw action in seven games, but then the Caps traded for Wideman and his playing time evaporated. Sloan has now played five games in March. Hard to stay sharp with that kind of fluctuation. But that’s the gig as an NHL reserve. And Sloan knows it.
“It’s going to take some time. I haven’t played a lot of games. I haven’t played a full season in the last two years,” Sloan said. “And playing defense is all about confidence so it’s going to take me a few more games to feel comfortable and to feel where I want to be. Last night was a stepping stone.”
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