Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner walked into the locker room at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Monday afternoon ready to ask teammate John Carlson the question every fan would like to know the answer to right now: When will the Capitals’ injured defenseman be able to return to game action?
“I’m trying to get something out of him,” Alzner said. “I don’t quite know yet.”
His intrigue came with good reason, particularly once Coach Barry Trotz delivered some encouraging injury news for the first time in a few days. Trotz said he expected Carlson and injured defenseman Brooks Orpik to travel with the team on its upcoming three-game trip, which begins Tuesday night in Boston.