Capitals defenseman Mike Green took another step forward in his recovery from a right groin strain. This time it was participating in a full practice with his teammates. That’s the first time that’s happened since he left a Nov. 11 game at the New Jersey Devils following a hit from forward Ryan Carter.
In all, Green has missed 26 of the last 27 games. He was also out for six games with a right ankle injury suffered Oct. 22 against the Detroit Red Wings. His return from that injury lasted barely more than one period against the Devils. No timetable for a return this time, according to Green. Washington still lists him as “day-to-day” – as it has since the injury happened.
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“I’ve been training hard off the ice and doing everything I can to stay in shape,” Green said. “But until you get back on the ice and you get skating it’s hard to train for hockey. But I feel as good as I possibly could going back on the ice [Tuesday]. I just need a few skates to get my lungs and my legs back and I’ll be back in no time.”
Green rotated in on some power-play drills during Tuesday’s practice. Even at the end of last week he was staying on the ice for longer stretches, no longer limited to simply skating and shooting before practice and departing shortly after his teammates skated onto the ice. Green, according to multiple sources, traveled to Minnesota to see the specialist that the Caps had previously told us about earlier this month. But as with all groin injuries, they have to be careful here. Feeling better, Green will want to push himself to get back as soon as possible. Washington’s medical staff has to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“I think I’m going to have to be cognizant of this for the rest of my career, probably,” Green said. “This is something that you’ve got to take care of, especially with hockey. It’s such a common thing. It’s just maintenance right now. Making sure that I’m on top of my stuff and I’m getting better. I don’t think I’ll be 100 percent for a long time, but just got to get to that stage where I can play.”
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