BALLSTON, Va. - Just over 12 hours after their thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks, the Washington Capitals returned to practice Wednesday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Troy Brouwer and Mike Green, however, did not.
Brouwer apparently injured his right shoulder late in the third period Tuesday after taking a hit from Anaheim's Toni Lydman and did not return. Coincidentally, Brouwer underwent right shoulder surgery this summer and he spent it rehabilitating in order to prepare for the season. After practice, head coach Bruce Boudreau said that Brouwer took a "maintenance day" and that he's "day-to-day." His status for Friday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes is uncertain.
"I couldn't give you the right answer right now," Boudreau said. "It's a possibility."
In his absence, Joel Ward skated on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.
Meanwhile, Green appeared on the ice in full pads for the start of practice, but left after about 10 minutes and watched the remainder of practice from the bench sans equipment. Green and Boudreau had hoped that Green would get a full practice in Wednesday as he continues to recover from a twisted right ankle, but that obviously didn't happen. Because of that, Green is unlikely to play Friday.
"I was really hoping, but sort of more hoping than reality a little bit," Boudreau said of Green not practicing as they had planned. "I haven't checked it out with the trainers yet."