Mike Green Takes to the Ice at Washington Capitals Practice: Returning Soon?

Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green joined some of his Washington Capitals teammates at an optional practice on Friday, April 1 at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Green has been out of the Capitals lineup since February 25 after suffering a concussion on a hit by the New York Rangers' Derek Stepan.

Green told the Washington Post after the practice, "That’s the most I’ve done in a long time here. "I felt good. That’s the most important thing. I don’t have anything going on, and each day’s been better and it was nice to get a good skate in."

The Capitals currently have a shortage of healthy blueliners, with Green, John Erskine, Tom Poti and Dennis Wideman all currently battling injuries.

Green is in no rush the return to the Capitals lineup until he is totally healthy. "I understand now that it takes time and patience,” Green said. “There is no point in rushing things here before playoffs. I think that it’s more important that we’ve been doing what we’re doing. The training staff has done a great job of helping me get back. It’s just a matter of me being ready for playoffs.”

The Capitals have four games remaining in the regular season. Washington is one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers for first place in the Eastern Conference.

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