There was no maybe this time. Mike Green will not be in the Capitals’ lineup Saturday night when they play host to the New Jersey Devils.
Given the chance to downplay the injury when asked about the absence being precautionary, coach Bruce Boudreau said only: “He’s just not able to play tonight.”
Boudreau on Friday night was “pretty confident” it was not a serious injury. He said Green’s new injury was a “different soreness” and not related to the right ankle problem that knocked him out for six games.
“It’s a day-to-day thing, and not a three-week day-to-day thing – an actual day-to-day thing,” Boudreau said Friday night.
It appeared to be a lower-body injury Green suffered in an awkward collision with Ryan Carter late in the first. Carter’s knee appeared to strike Green’s left leg, and the defenseman was in distress skating off the ice.
Boudreau said Saturday that “Jeff [Schultz] jumps in today and should be good.”
In a pinch, Boudreau wouldn’t be afraid to use Brooks Laich on defense if the situation arose. Could that be Saturday night?
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Tomas Vokoun made 32 saves on 33 shots and earned third-star honors Friday night. But with back-to-back games, Boudreau was asked if it made sense for Michal Neuvirth to start Saturday night back at home.”
“Ehh … Tomas played pretty good last night, too,” Boudreau responded.
Infer away.
