The Washington Capitals received a bit of clarity with regard to Dennis Wideman's injury. The Capitals' defensemen, who has not played since March 26 after suffering a leg hematoma in a hit against Carolina, was finally released from the hospital on Monday and is expected to return in about three weeks, coach Bruce Boudreau said.
"He's a really determined young man. He's rehabbing it pretty hard right now. He's a lot better today than he was yesterday. I don't know if that means anything, but if that rate of recovery is good then it wouldn't surprise me - [if in] three weeks he'll be ready."
This means that Wideman is certainly out for the Capitals vs. Rangers first-round 2011 NHL Playoffs series, but he could return to action if the Capitals advance. Wideman was acquired in a trade-deadline deal with the Florida Panthers, and he, along with Jason Arnott, helped turn the team around.