The Washington Capitals were cautious with Mike Green on Monday, holding him out of practice after he took a puck to the face on a slap shot in the team's 3-0 win over the Penguins on Sunday. Now, they will likely continue to be cautious with Green. He is unlikely to play on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, and suffered through concussion symptoms after the game, according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post.
Given that the Capitals have three days off following the game against San Jose, there would be little reason to rush him back when the alternative is multiple days of rest. Also, when players do not practice the day before a game, they generally will not take part in the upcoming contest.
Coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters that Green was held out of practice for precautionary reasons. If Green does indeed have a concussion, he must be symptom-free during rest and physical activity, then pass a neurological test, before he is eligible to play again.
Green suffered the injury when a Brooks Orpik slap shot careened off the side of his head at the end of the first period. His ear was bleeding and he was taken off the ice after laying on the ground for several minutes. He did not return to the game.