It’s been since early November that the Washington Capitals have been completely healthy, and the defense was hit hardest. Brooks Orpik missed 40 games with a lower-body injury. John Carlson was the next to go down with a lower-body injury, and though he returned to the lineup before the all-star break, he wasn’t completely healthy and never returned to his old form.
With the Capitals comfortably ahead in the standings, Carlson underwent a procedure for his injury after it continued to linger, requiring him to miss about a month. Coach Barry Trotz was vague on whether he’d play, but Carlson is likely to make his second return to the lineup on Friday night against the New Jersey Devils.