Caps defenseman Mike Green (concussion) again said Tuesday he is ready to return from his long layoff when his team faces the New York Rangers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs tomorrow night at Verizon Center. But coach Bruce Boudreau wasn’t quite as gung-ho.
“Game-time decision. It’s a question of how [Green] feels tomorrow and if he’s comfortable playing and we’re comfortable putting him in, I guess,” Boudreau said. “So we’ll figure it all out tomorrow. But he looks fine out there.”
Boudreau did say he had no concerns about Green making his return in a playoff game. The 25-year-old was originally hit near the right temple by a puck during a Feb. 6 win against Pittsburgh and then took a shot to the head during a loss to the Rangers on Feb. 25. Boudreau pointed out that Green is often the best player early in training camp even after four months or more away from NHL competition. Team officials had said last week Green could return in the regular-season finale against Florida, but decided instead to be cautious and he didn’t travel with the club at all. Green has played in two games since Feb. 6.
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