The big news from this morning’s skate at Kettler Iceplex is the return of defenseman Mike Green to the lineup. Green is still recovering from a right groin strain suffered Nov. 11 against the New Jersey Devils. That was his first game back after missing six games with a right ankle injury. And let’s not forget the two partial games he played the final two months of last regular season after suffering a pair of concussions. It’s been a rough road for No. 52. Green has missed the last 23 games in a row and 29 of Washington’s last 30. Needless to say, he’s ready to go. And facing his hometown team, to boot.
“Finally. It’s been frustrating sitting out,” Green said. “Obviously, a couple months ago coming back and then first game back it’s back into the press box. So I’m just happy to be back, focused, preparing to do the right things tonight. That’s all that’s on my mind right now.”
Caps coach Dale Hunter says he will ease Green back into the lineup. That starts with seven defenseman playing tonight. Jeff Schultz was the only one out for extra work so looks like he is the odd-man out among the eight. But having seven players on the blueline will let Washington monitor Green’s minutes and not be left short-handed if he does have a setback. No player missing this much time – as Green readily admitted – jumps into an NHL game at full pace. He’s in great shape. But conditioning is an issue.
“You can’t do much. But he’s been skating hard here for a while now,” Hunter said. “You see him after practices where he’s been skating, getting a lot of shots. So it’s more conditioning and we’ll monitor his ice time. And [head trainer Greg Smith] will monitor how he feels. You know, you don’t want to be fatigued out on the ice.”
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