Caps' Gordon won't need surgery

Boyd Gordon has had back spasms in the past, but the rugged forward has missed 10 games (and counting) with his most recent back issue. He skated for about 45 minuntes today with strength coach Mark Nemish here at Kettler.

"I've been skating the last couple of days," Gordon said. "Today was a good day, but the first couple weren't so good. It is just one of those things were backs are kind of hard to get a good diagnosis on what is causing what, but I'm getting there.

"I don't know what my timetable is, but today was a good day so that's a good start."

Gordon said there has been a diagnosis made, but he didn't want to talk specifics. It isn't a situation that would require surgery, which could have kept him out for a long, long time. He said he's seen multiple people to try to figure out what's wrong and how to combat it, but this morning was the first time he felt he could skate hard. He was also shooting pucks and making different types of passes, trying to figure out what he can and can't do.

"This one is a little bit different, but it is all kind of related to one another," Gordon said. "I've got to find a way to correct the problem. I've done a routine before, but it obviosly hasn't been working [this time], so I've got to switch a few things up and incorporate a few more things."