Nylander still struggling
The Capitals may recall a forward from AHL affiliate Hershey on Friday for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Neither general manager George McPhee nor coach Bruce Boudreau would confirm that a move was imminent. But their hand may be forced given the ineffective play of forward Michael Nylander in Game 3 on Wednesday.
Out of the lineup as a healthy scratch since Game 2 of the first-round series against New York, Nylander played just 7 minutes, 27 seconds on Wednesday and took a first-period interference penalty. In 10 shifts, he had one shot attempt blocked and one giveaway. But Nylander, a natural center, was playing left wing on the fourth line with Boyd Gordon in the middle and Chris Clark at right wing.
Nylander declined to comment on his status prior to Wednesday’s contest.
“We’ll see how everyone is doing [Thursday night],” McPhee said. “Every game we’ll make adjustments. There might be [a call-up].”
Brashear nears return
There are other reasons for a forward shortage. Saturday night marks the final game that forward Donald Brashear sits out after his six-game suspension for a hit on New York Rangers forward Blair Betts in Game 6 of their first-round series. Forward Eric Fehr is also still out with an undisclosed injury after taking a hard check during Game 2 against Pittsburgh on Monday night.
Poti, Fedorov should play
Boudreau said that both defenseman Tom Poti and center Sergei Fedorov are expected to play Friday. Poti is nursing the normal bumps and bruises that arrive at playoff time, according to Boudreau. Fedorov took a stick to the ribs from Pittsburgh defenseman Hal Gill during Wednesday’s game and missed some time. But he returned for the third period and said Thursday that “everything is fine.”
