The Washington Capitals appear to be playing it safe with defensemen Mike Green after he took a puck to the face on a slap shot in the Capitals' 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. Green did not participate in practice today, and coach Bruce Boudreau said that was because they wanted to make sure he would end up OK, according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post.

Boudreau said the team decided to give Green the day off and admitted that they were guarding against a possible concussion. Green said yesterday that he felt alright, but admitted to his balance being "a little off." It remains unclear whether Green will suit up when the Capitals take on the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

The injury occurred at the end of the first period, when Brooks Orpik unleashed a slap shot that hit off Green's ear. Green did not return to the game. He has already been hampered by various nagging injuries over the course of the season.