Jay Beagle Injury Upate: Washington Capitals' Forward Will Try To Skate Friday

Washington Capitals forward Jay Beagle spoke to reporters on Thursday, expressing optimism that he will be able to skate on Friday for the first time since suffering an apparent concussion after being dropped in a fight against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Arron Asham. Beagle was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, which means he cannot return until next week.

In addition, coach Bruce Boudreau finally seemingly revealed that Beagle's injury was a concussion. Via Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times.

Bruce Boudreau said the word "concussions" when talking about Jay Beagle. #Finally #Caps

Beagle said he felt "great" and looks forward to eventually returning to the lineup. He has not played since the fight on October 13. If he were to return next week, he would have missed just under a month of action.

For more on Beagle and the rest of the Washington Capitals, make sure you are checking out Japers' Rink.

Jay Beagle Injury Update: Washington Capitals' Forward Placed On Injured Reserve

The Washington Capitals have placed forward Jay Beagle on injured reserve, according to Mike Vogel, in a move that only furthers the feelings that he is more injured than publicly reported following a fight with Pittsburgh's Arron Asham earlier in the season. The move means that Beagle will miss at least seven more days of action.

The move was also made to clear up a roster spot for Cody Eakin, who was called up from the AHL. The young Eakin will take Beagle's spot for the time being. In addition, D.J. King, who cleared waivers, is back with the team.

Beagle has not played since being dropped by Asham in the fight on October 13. Many have suggested Beagle suffered a concussion in the fight, a claim shot down by Beagle himself.

For more on Beagle and the rest of the Washington Capitals, make sure you are checking out Japers' Rink.

Jay Beagle: 'I Don't Think It's A Concussion'

Jay Beagle Injury Update: Capitals Forward Downgraded To 'Week-To-Week'

Via Mike Vogel, the Washington Capitals have downgraded Jay Beagle's status from "day-to-day" to "week-to-week."

Beagle has yet to return to practice or game action since last Thursday, when he fought Arron Asham during the Caps' 3-2 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last Friday, head coach Bruce Boudreau said that "other than a fat lip," Beagle was okay, but after missing over a week of practice, perhaps it is more serious than that.

According to Vogel, Boudreau said that because Beagle has missed a week of practice, he would need more time to get ready for a return. Per team policy, the Caps do not disclose the nature of injuries.

Many have speculated that Beagle may have a concussion, but thus far, Boudreau has declined to reveal that, even despite being asked directly.

For more on Jay Beagle's injury, visit this StoryStream. For more on the Capitals, visit Japers' Rink.

Arron Asham Declares Rivalry That Was Never Dead Is 'Back'

Jay Beagle Has 'Fat Lip,' Otherwise Okay, According To Bruce Boudreau

"Other than a fat lip," Washington Capitals forward Jay Beagle is fine, according to head coach Bruce Boudreau.

Beagle was involved in a fight with the Pittsburgh Penguins' Arron Asham during the third period of Washington's 3-2 overtime victory over Pittsburgh Thursday. Asham leveled Beagle with two straight punches, which sent the latter down to the ice bleeding profusely. Beagle did not return to the game and did not practice Saturday, but Boudreau said that Beagle wanted to.

"He's looking good," Boudreau said. "He's looking fine. He wanted to come out and practice. Talking to him this morning, I guess because of protocol, he wanted to come back last night. I think it looked a little bit worse than it was. I was really pleasantly surprised."

The protocol Boudreau was referring to was concussion protocol, which the NHL takes very seriously. Boudreau said that as far he knows, there are no concerns regarding a concussion or broken jaw. Whether Beagle can return to practice Saturday is up to the team's medical staff, according to Boudreau.

Arron Asham Won't Be Disciplined By NHL For Actions During Fight With Jay Beagle

The major story from the Washington Capitals' 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night centered around the fight between Pittsburgh's Arron Asham and Washington's Jay Beagle. Asham dropped a bloodied Beagle to the ice with one punch, then celebrated afterwards as Beagle was being treated. However, the NHL has decided not to discipline Asham for his actions, according to a report by Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times.

"While nobody liked the gestures, they simply did not violate the rules as currently written (Rule 75.2 (i) which calls for a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for "any identifiable player who uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at any person," NHL spokesman John Dellapina said in an email response.

Asham was apologetic after the game, calling his own actions "claseless." Perhaps that played a role in the NHL's decision.

We have more updates about Thursday's game in this StoryStream. Remember to visit Japers' Rink and SB Nation D.C. for complete Capitals coverage. Pensburgh and SB Nation Pittsburgh offer the perspective from the Penguins' side.

Karl Alzner Bashes Arron Asham, Penguins Fans After Knockout Of Jay Beagle

Capitals Vs. Penguins: Arron Asham Apologizes For Actions After Fight With Jay Beagle

The defining moment of the Washington Capitals' 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins was when Pittsburgh's Arron Asham knocked out Washington's Jay Beagle in a fight, causing Beagle to bleed and leave the game. As we noted here, Asham did a little celebration that could have been interpreted as taunting. However, Asham was apologetic after the game for that.

Via Mike Colligan of The Hockey Writers:

Pens Arron Asham said his gesture after the 3rd period fight was classless and totally uncalled for, said he was caught up in the moment

The fight caused a war of words between Asham and Alex Ovechkin, who served Beagle's penalty. Beagle, for his part, was spotted with ice in his mouth after the game.

We'll have more updates about Thursday's game in this StoryStream. Remember to visit Japers' Rink and SB Nation D.C. for complete Capitals coverage. Pensburgh and SB Nation Pittsburgh offer the perspective from the Penguins' side.

Jay Beagle Injury Update: Capitals' Forward Recovering After Fight With Arron Asham

Washington Capitals forward Jay Beagle did not return to the team's 3-2 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night after getting knocked out by Arron Asham in a fight early in the third period. The two men dropped the gloves after Beague was penalized, and Asham's punch caused Beague to bleed profusely. Here's the fight video. Afterwards, Beagle was spotted with ice in his mouth, according to Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times.

It remains unclear how seriously Beague is injured beyond this game. What is clear is that the Washington Capitals did not take too kindly to Asham's gestures after the fight. According to Corey Masisak of NHL.com, Alex Ovechkin, who served the penalty for Beagle, had some words for Asham.

Ovechkin now jawing with Asham in the penalty box. Don't think the #Caps captain liked Asham going after Beagle in that situation.

We'll have more updates about Thursday's game in this StoryStream. Remember to visit Japers' Rink and SB Nation D.C. for complete Capitals coverage. Pensburgh and SB Nation Pittsburgh offer the perspective from the Penguins' side.

VIDEO: Jay Beagle Gets Knocked Out By Arron Asham (UPDATED)