Capitals finishing up a morning skate at Kettler Iceplex in preparation for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The big injury news right now is the status of defenseman John Carlson. He took a wicked cross-check during the second period of Friday’s Game 1 against Tampa Bay and took just two shifts the rest of the game.
Bruce Boudreau said as far as he knew Carlson was going to play tonight against Tampa Bay. Carlson himself termed his absence in the third period Friday “a coaches’ decision” and also said he feels “great.”
“Had a day off, now we’re here,” Carlson said, later adding. “It’s an exciting time of the year, too. Everyone wants to go all the time. We need this next game. Big game for us.”
Added Boudreau: “If [Carlson] plays, he plays. But I assume he’s playing. Not sure what’s the big deal. Guys get banged up a little bit and it takes them 24 hours to get better sometimes. And that’s where he is.”
Veteran winger Mike Knuble – out since Game 3 of the Rangers series with what is believed to be a right hand injury – did leave the ice early and so didn’t take part in the scratches’ skate afterwards with assistant coaches Bob Woods and Dean Evason. That makes you think there’s a chance he’d play tonight – but Boudreau dismissed that idea, claiming it’s an optional skate and a player can leave whenever they want. He reiterated his contention that Knuble will play at some point before the series ends, but said “I doubt it” when asked directly if Knuble was available tonight.
Meanwhile, forward Matt Hendricks – who has played in every game so far this postseason – stayed on the ice longer than usual shooting on goalie Semyon Varlamov. He was at the opposite end of the rink from the nine injured players, healthy scratches and Hershey recalls, but Hendricks left about 20 minutes after the rest of his teammates who are expected to play.
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