SB Nation DC - Washington Capitals Injuries: Dennis Wideman To Miss At Least First Round Of Playoffs

Washington Capitals Injuries: Dennis Wideman To Miss First Round Of Playoffs

2011-04-06T22:10:28Z

With news breaking today that Mike Green should return to the Washington Capitals' lineup this weekend, news also broke that Dennis Wideman will miss the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Via Washington Post's Katie Carrera, head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he's "gotta believe" that Wideman will miss at least the first round after suffering a leg hemotoma when he collided with the Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu March 29.

"We don't know," Boudreau said when asked if there was any timeline for Wideman's return. "It's one of those things that, again, this time next week we'll know a lot more than we know now, but it depends on how his rehab goes and how quick he takes to it."

Wideman, who the Caps acquired from the Florida Panthers February 28, has one goal and six assists in 14 games with Washington. With Green out, Wideman filled his role as the puck-moving defenseman. And now that Wideman is out, Green will have more pressure on him to return to his All-Star form.

Mike Green Goes Through Full Practice For First Time Since Head Injuries

2011-04-01T17:36:44Z

Capitals defensemen Mike Green went through a full practice Friday for the first time since he suffered two separate head injuries in early February. The practice was optional and low-intensity, but it still represents a big step for Green as he tries to return to action before the NHL Playoffs.

Green was wearing contact lenses and glasses all week, and said the symptoms he felt on Monday had mostly gone away by Friday. He said he hopes to go through a more intense practice on Monday and return to the ice at some point before the playoffs begin in two weeks.

The Capitals suddenly have an even greater need for Green to return. Defensemen Dennis Wideman, who was acquired at the NHL Trade Deadline in part to be insurance for Green's injuries, suffered a leg injury of his own and was reportedly in the hospital Thursday because blood went from an artery into soft tissue. Fellow defensemen John Erskine is also banged up after getting into a fight in the Capitals' win over Columbus Thursday.

Washington Capitals Injuries: TSN Report Claims Dennis Wideman In Hospital With Leg Injury

2011-04-01T02:23:38Z

A report released by TSN's Bob McKenzie claims that Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman is currently in the hospital with a "significant leg hematoma" as a result of his collision with the Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss.

A hematoma is caused by a contusion where blood escapes or leaks from an artery, vein or capillary into soft tissue, such as a muscle, where it does not belong.

It can cause significant swelling and pressure, which often times can only be released by making an incision to drain the blood from the soft tissue.

Wideman lost an edge during the second period of Tuesday's game and ran into Ruutu. Wideman would leave the game and did not return. He was formally listed as "week-to-week" by the team early Thursday.

"I think we're all kind of surprised what kind of injury it turned into," Mike Knuble said. "He could be gone a couple weeks, he could be gone a lot longer."

Knuble candidly commented that Wideman has been sending in pictures of his injury, which Knuble called "pretty graphic."

"He's been firing off some pictures," Knuble said. "It's pretty grotesque how [Wideman] is opened up right now."

Mike Green Recovering From Concussion, Could Be Out Until NHL Playoffs

2011-03-25T00:13:54Z

The Washington Capitals may not have Mike Green until the beginning of the NHL Playoffs. Green's head injuries were concussions, and the Capitals defensemen may sit out until the end of the regular season, according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post.

With eight games remaining in the regular season, the chance of Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green returning from a concussion in time for the playoffs is uncertain, Coach Bruce Boudreau said Thursday.

Green has missed 18 of the past 20 games and almost every practice with the concussion. He initially was hit in the head by a slap shot on Super Bowl Sunday, and then suffered another concussion when Derek Stepan elbowed him against the New York Rangers, according to Carrera. The team has not publicly defined Green's injury, per team policy, but the symptoms certainly line up with a concussion.

Boudreau said that the team wants Green to be put through at least three good practices before playing him, and reemphasized that they will not play him until he is fully healthy.

Washington Capitals Injuries: Nicklas Backstrom Expected To Return Friday Vs. Devils

2011-03-18T16:52:54Z

The Washington Capitals should have center Nicklas Backstrom when they take on the red-hot New Jersey Devils on Friday. Backstrom is expected to return to the lineup after missing 11 days with a fractured thumb. Mike Vogel of WashingtonCaps.com reports that he will play Friday.

Backstrom, for his part, said he thinks he will indeed play. Via Katie Carrera of the Washington Post:

Backstrom: "I think I'll play tonight. If I play, I know I'm 100 percent." #Caps

Backstrom would likely go back to the top line, forcing Brooks Laich back to the wing. Laich has been very good with Backstrom sidelined, allowing the Capitals to maintain their nine-game winning streak even without Backstrom. That streak was snapped with Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

While Backstrom is returning, winger Eric Fehr likely will not play, according to Vogel. Also, defensemen John Erskine still has the flu and is also likely to sit out.

Washington Capitals Injuries: Jason Arnott Will Miss Upcoming Road Trip, Listed As Week-To-Week

2011-03-15T13:35:05Z

Since the Capitals acquired him at the trade deadline, Jason Arnott has made a pretty significant impact on the Capitals. But according to CSN Wasington, the Capitals will have to be without their newest pivot for the entirety of the upcoming road trip.

According to the Washington Capitals’ website center Jason Arnott will not travel with the team this week after suffering an undisclosed injury. The veteran Arnott is listed as week-to-week.

One would have to imagine that a week-to-week injury is more significant than a day-to-day, but the discretion in hockey injury reports always leaves me guessing. Arnott was coming in handy with Nicklas Bakstrom recovering from his broken thumb, but now the Capitals depth at the position is going to be a serious concern.

The Capitals play the Canadiens tonight, and will face the Red Wings, Devils, Flyers and Senators before wrapping up their road trip against these same Canadiens next Saturday. No word yet on if Arnott will be able to return for any of these games, but it does not look likely.

Washington Capitals Injuries: Nicklas Backstrom Expected To Miss 1-2 More Games With Thumb Injury

2011-03-10T17:44:29Z

Nicklas Backstrom missed the first game of his professional career Wednesday night with a fractured thumb. As of right now, he is expected to miss at least 1-2 more games. Backstrom was practicing, but in a non-contact jersey.

Via Brian McNally of the Washington Examiner:

Timetable remains the same for Nicklas Backstrom (fractured left thumb) - 1 to 2 games. He did skate at practice today w no-contact jersey.

Backstrom, for his part, said he got to a point where he couldn't grip his stick, so he took himself out against the Lightning on Monday.

As for other Capitals injuries, Mike Green was back on the ice practicing, but said he's still taking things cautiously as he recovers from various head injuries. Goalie Semyon Varlamov was also on the ice, and coach Bruce Boudreau said he will take some shots on Friday. Then again, the strong play by Braden Holtby recently means Varlamov will have to fight to even be a backup.

Washington Capitals Injuries: Injured Thumb Will Keep Nicklas Backstrom Out For The First Time In His Career

2011-03-09T18:13:58Z

Nicklas Backstrom broke his thumb a few weeks back, but like he has done for the Washington Capitals throughout his career, he played through the injury and didn't miss any time. But that thumb is still bothering him, and now he will sit for at least one game with the hopes that the rest helps his thumb heal, according to Brian McNally of the Washington Examiner.

"We just want to protect [Backstrom's] thumb," Boudreau said. "We like him playing every game, but to us, making sure that he's ready and healthy is the most important thing. We didn't want a nagging little injury to keep him out and keep re-injuring it and that. He'll probably be out for a game or two."

The amazing thing about this injury is that this will be the first game that Nicklas Backstrom has missed due to injury in his entire career. His streak of 313 straight games will come to an end tonight. While Backstrom certainly needs to let his his thumb heal, the Capitals won't be able to succeed without him for very long. So hopefully he only stays out of the lineup for a couple games.