It’s time for everybody’s favorite parlor game – “Who’s on the plane”. Not really an easy one to play at this point as the Caps battle one injury after another entering a three-game road trip to Carolina, Minnesota and Calgary this week. But here’s what we know after Tuesday’s practice.
Defenseman Tom Poti (lower-body injury) is staying home to rehab for now – though coach Bruce Boudreau left open the possibility the veteran could join the team later in the week. That seems unlikely. They play Carolina tomorrow and immediately fly to Minnesota for a game on Thursday. Plus, putting Poti on injured reserve opens up a roster spot for a healthy player.
Defenseman Mike Green (shoulder) put in another day of practice and should be good to go full tilt on Wednesday. But Washington can’t really take a chance on being short a man on a western road trip. So it recalled Brian Fahey from AHL Hershey. He joins Green, Jeff Schultz, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, John Erskine and Tyler Sloan on the blueline. If Green gets re-injured or a banged-up Carlson struggles they will have an option with them and not have to rush someone out from Hershey or play Poti before he’s ready.
Meanwhile, forward Matt Bradley (lower-body injury) appears ready to come off injured reserve. He skated on the fourth line on Tuesday. Marcus Johansson (hip) and Boyd Gordon (undisclosed) will both make the trip, but one of them has to be on injured reserve to keep the roster at 23. Braden Holtby serves as the back-up goalie for this week with Semyon Varlamov hurt again.
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