BALLSTON, Va. - Based on Tuesday's morning skate, it looks like defenseman John Erskine will make his season debut, while forward Cody Eakin will make his NHL debut against the Anaheim Ducks.
Erskine has been out while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery he had in May. The Caps assigned Sean Collins, who appeared in both games of Washington's two-game road trip last week, to AHL Hershey Tuesday and only six defensemen took part in Tuesday's skate. When asked after practice if he was ready to go, Erskine confirmed that he was cleared.
"I'm cleared, so I'm good to go tonight," he said.
Meanwhile, Eakin got the call to Washington Monday and was on the ice Tuesday. Eakin returned to the locker room while Jeff Halpern stayed on the ice for extra work, usually denoting a healthy scratch. Eakin has appeared in 10 games with the Bears this season and is ready to make his debut.
"I'm pretty happy," Eakin said. "It's exciting. I get an opportunity to play my first game."