Mike Green took the ice before the rest of his teammates Monday and was almost an afterthought. Earlier in the morning, Dale Hunter replaced Bruce Boudreau as Washington Capitals coach.
But the importance of Green skating for about a half-hour should not be underestimated. He was on the ice for about a half-hour Saturday and did the same Monday, a sign of progress as the defenseman works back from a right groin strain.
Green did not speak to reporters Monday, and general manager George McPhee did not have much of an update.
“He’s starting to skate, he seems to be doing really well, but we don’t have a timetable,” McPhee said.
Green has not played since Nov. 11, when he injured his groin late in the first period at the New Jersey Devils.
The Caps are 8-0-0 with Green in the lineup and 4-9-1 without him.
