Call it a setback for Caps defenseman Mike Green. Battling a right ankle injury, he was all set for his first full practice since getting hurt against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 22. Instead, Green left the ice after about 10 minutes on Wednesday and returned in street clothes to watch the rest.
This was more of a hopeful test than anything, according to both Green and Washington coach Bruce Boudreau. He didn’t pass this time. But there is no excessive swelling at this point and Green hopes to try again at practice on Thursday. But playing in Friday’s game at Carolina is looking less likely. With just Thursday’s practice available you wonder about the game at the New York Islanders, too, on Saturday.
“I was out there today skating a little bit more than yesterday, but making sure I would take my time,” Green said. “We’ll see. If I feel good I’ll play. It’s day-to-day and I wake up each day seeing if it feels a little bit better. [Thursday] it could be a lot better.”
Green said it’s been a little longer process than he hoped. He wanted to stay healthy for a full season – especially after last year’s injury-filled debacle – but if you “can’t skate you can’t play.”
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