The Capitals took to the ice for practice on Monday with Michal Neuvirth out there in goal and veteran Dany Sabourin back with AHL Hershey. That lasted all of 20 minutes. Neuvirth, battling what he calls a right foot injury, left the ice and Washington’s media-relations chief Sergey Kocharov took his place.
Don’t even have to read between the lines here. Bruce Boudreau said “No” when asked if he had an update on Neuvirth. But it’s clear the 23-year-old goalie needs more time. Then Boudreau elaborated – a little.
“I got to figure he’s got to go through a full practice to be [a back-up],” Boudreau said. “It’s still a lower-body injury.”
Reporters caught up with Neuvirth, though, about an hour after practice ended. He admitted he took a shot off the foot during pregame warm-ups against Tampa Bay. He moved gingerly on Saturday during a workout after that day’s morning skate, struggling to push off. But he said he was feeling better then. Today? Not so much.
“It’s big bruise and trying to ice it,” Neuvirth said. “It’s a lot of pain when I’m putting my skates on, and that’s the worst. I can’t really push on the ice or anything like that. I feel a lot of pain right now.”
So this was not a planned exit. Neuvirth remains sore. Can’t see him being ready to even back-up Tomas Vokoun tomorrow so expect a call up – either Sabourin or Braden Holtby. For now, Neuvirth says there is no timetable. He’ll ice the foot daily and hopes to get back on the ice soon. Couldn’t pass today’s test. Maybe Wednesday will be better. The Caps face the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at Verizon Center. For now, here were the lines at practice:
Red: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Brouwer
Gray: Semin-Johansson-Knuble
Green: Chimera-Laich-Ward
White: Hendricks-Perreault-Halpern
All defensemen were accounted for, including John Erskine, who is still on the non-roster injured list, and forward D.J. King wore a black jersey.
Follow me on Twitter @bmcnally14
