Caps defenseman Mike Green hadn’t played since Feb. 25 – thanks in large part to a hit to the head from New York Rangers center Derek Stepan. He had even asked coach Bruce Boudreau to take it relatively easy on him in his first game back when Washington hosted the Rangers in a first-round Stanley Cup playoff game at Verizon Center.
That’s a rare admission from a player who enjoys logging upwards of 26 or 27 minutes a game when at full strength – even more, if necessary. Well, Green got 23 minutes, 30 seconds of ice time in Wednesday’s 2-1 overtime victory. He even had a secondary assist on Alex Ovechkin’s game-tying third goal.
“It didn’t surprise me, no,” Green said of Boudreau using him that much. “I asked to be eased into it…but it is what it is. I’ve never been out that long and anytime you get away from the game that long you want to make sure that you’re ready to play – especially in the playoffs.”
It wasn’t a soft return. Green moved the puck all over the ice and had some adventures with defensive partner John Erskine. The duo was on the ice for New York’s lone goal at 1:56 of the third period when defenseman Matt Gilroy jumped into the slot and slammed a shot past Michal Neuvirth. But overall Green fared well for someone who has played one game and another two shifts since Feb. 6.
“I thought [Green’s] first period might have been as good as he’s played in a playoff game,” Boudreau said. “I thought he was outstanding for a guy that hasn’t played in six weeks to come back in a game like that.”
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