Defenseman had been out with head injury
No news is good news for the Capitals and defenseman Mike Green.
Struck in the side of the head by a slapshot last weekend against Pittsburgh, Green sat out Tuesday’s game vs. San Jose as a precaution. But he was back on the ice for Thursday’s practice at Kettler Iceplex and said he remains on track to play against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.
Green admitted to reporters after practice that his balance was off for the first few days after taking that puck to the right temple on the final play of the first period, an injury that needed several rows of stitches. But he did take the morning skate the day of the Sharks game and was on the ice again for the entire practice Thursday, save the strenuous bag skate at the end.
“It was more of a balance thing than an actual concussion,” Green said. “I feel good. I should be good to go on Saturday.”
Green will only play if he can pass some tests on Friday. Those were originally scheduled during Tuesday’s game at Verizon Center, but were pushed back once it was clear Green wouldn’t play against San Jose. The Caps were given off Wednesday after suffering a 2-0 loss to the Sharks.
“If Mike wasn’t feeling 100 percent he wouldn’t have been out there today,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But I look at Mike and unless he has tremendous headaches [after practice Thursday] afternoon I believe he’s fine.”
