Washington Capitals Injuries: Seven Players' Statuses Unknown For Wednesday's Game Against Carolina

The revolving door that is the Capitals' injury list is continuing to spin. According to CSN Washington's Corey Masisak, the statuses of at least seven players are either "unavailable or undecided" for Wednesday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Here are the statuses of the players in question:

• Semyon Varlamov (groin) is definitely out and will not travel with the team during its week-long, three-game road trip. Varlamov started the season on the injury report before returning in a relief appearance against the Boston Bruins October 19. Varlamov's only start came October 21 against the Bruins.
• Defenseman Tom Poti (lower body injury) was a late scratch against the Atlanta Thrashers last Saturday after playing both games against the Bruins. He missed the three games prior to that.
• Poti's defensive mate, John Carlson (leg), did not practice Monday and was given a maintenance day to heal a nagging injury suffered while blocking a shot against the Nashville Predators October 16. Carlson led the Capitals in ice time against the Thrashers.
• Mike Green (upper body) played 5:39 against Atlanta, all on the power play. Green suffered a shoulder "stinger" against the New York Islanders October 13 and missed every game prior to Saturday's game. Coach Bruce Boudreau said Green might be ready to play Wednesday, but Green still seems to be favoring his shoulder in practice.
• Marcus Johansson (hip flexor) participated in a full practice Monday for the first time since injuring his hip Thursday against Boston. Johansson missed Saturday's game, but hopes to be ready Wednesday.
• Meanwhile, Matt Bradley (lower body) practiced, but his status is unknown. Bradley has not played since October 11.
• Boyd Gordon participated in practice, but not much is known about his ailments. Boudreau, however, said that it has nothing to do with the back problems that have plagued Gordon for years.

The Capitals have dressed 27 different players this year, but Boudreau looks at it in a positive light.

"I hate teams that make excuses about it. It is opportunities for guys who play five minutes to play 15 minutes and it is opportunities for guys who play 15 minutes to play 22 minutes. Quite frankly, they all go home and [complain] about not playing enough, so now's a chance to play and show us what they've got."