Capitals defenseman Mike Green wants to get back into an honest-to-goodness NHL game. He really does. But – as we’ve seen in the sad case of Tom Poti – what appears to be a short-term groin injury can have disastrous consequences for hockey players.
“I think we want to play this safe,” Green said. “Obviously, I’ve been out for a long time and want to get back and want to get back. But want to make sure I’m ready to play. No need to put myself in a dangerous situation.”
Green has now missed 21 games in a row since suffering this injury on Nov. 11 against New Jersey and 27 of 28 if you include the ankle injury on Oct. 22 against Detroit. He’s hoping for next week after skating again. Maybe he can play against his hometown Calgary Flames at Verizon Center on Jan. 3 – next Tuesday. But a better bet is Jan. 7 when Washington begins a two-game road trip to California with a game at San Jose.
“That’s why we have to be careful about bring him back at the right time,” Caps general manager George McPhee told radio station 106.7 – the Fan on Thursday. “We can’t have a setback and we can’t have it be something that bothers him all year. We have to make this thing go away. He’s at about 80 percent right now.”
That means some more consultations with trainer Greg Smith along with daily treatments. Won’t hurt to get a few more practices in, either. After the New Year’s Eve game in Columbus, expect a day off Sunday, a practice on Monday and then the game vs. Calgary on Tuesday. Washington will then get another practice in at home on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 before flying to San Jose that Thursday.
“It’s just good to be around the guys again and, obviously, skate and get back in the groove of things,” Green said. “But it’s been frustrating watching hockey. It’s boring.”
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