Mike Green, who aggravated a groin injury last week, did not practice with his Washington Capitals teammates Monday in their first workout since returning from Winnipeg.
“Nothing new,” coach Adam Oates said when asked for an update on Green. “Still not feeling 100 percent. He didn’t skate.”
Green is expected to miss his fifth game of the season Tuesday night when the Caps host the Boston Bruins. Oates said he hopes not to have to shut down the 27-year-old defenseman for a long time.
“It’s that injury that feels like it’s healing. Maybe it’s not,” Oates said. “I wouldn’t say it was set back. He just doesn’t feel comfortable, and we’re just waiting for that moment where it’s like, ‘OK, go again.’ And we don’t want it until he’s closer to 100 percent.”
Expect center Jay Beagle to center the third line with Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. He earned a promotion there at Monday’s practice, with Mathieu Perreault bumped down to the fourth line. Perreault took two ill-advised penalties in Saturday’s victory at the Jets.
Matt Hendricks should reprise his role as a top-line left wing with Mike Ribeiro and Alex Ovechkin. And unless something changes, Wojtek Wolski could be a healthy scratch and Aaron Volpatti could play his second straight game since the Caps claimed him off waivers.
Braden Holtby will make his 10th straight start in goal, Oates confirmed. He’s 6-3 in the past nine with a 2.11 goals-against average and .934 save percentage.
Here’s a look at the anticipated lines and pairings for Tuesday’s game vs. Boston:
Matt Hendricks – Mike Ribeiro – Alex Ovechkin
Eric Fehr – Nicklas Backstrom – Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera – Jay Beagle – Joel Ward
Aaron Volpatti / Wojtek Wolski – Mathieu Perreault – Joey Crabb
Karl Alzner – Tomas Kundratek
John Erskine – John Carlson
Jeff Schultz - Tom Poti
