The Capitals got a number of injury updates as they prepare to face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
After a day off on Thursday, the Washington Capitals got back to work on Friday with a productive practice where they got some key updates on ailing players.
Anthony Mantha and Trevor van Riemsdyk are expected to return from their respective injuries against Columbus. Mantha suffered a ruptured eardrum in the Nov. 8 game against the Florida Panthers, where he had tow goals before going down. That injury left him without hearing for nearly a week and resulted in dizziness and vomiting that kept him off the ice, but his inner balance has been restored, and he is good to go. Van Riemsdyk has not played since going awkwardly into the boards on Nov. 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Joel Edmundson is TBD given the long road back to making his return. He has been out of a non-contact jersey for a handful of sessions now, but given he has not played a game since last season after breaking his hand in training camp, head coach Spencer Carbery wants him to get as much practice in as possible before taking the ice.
In other news, Martin Fehervary took the ice before practice for some light skating on his own. He was in a powder blue jersey, indicating no contact. It marked the first time the 23-year-old skated since suffering a lower-body injury in the second period of a Nov. 10 game against the New Jersey Devils, where he appeared to strain a muscle while defending in front of the net.
February did not remain on the ice to join his teammates for practice. He is out for Saturday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the hope is that he will get back on the ice next week.
In addition to Fehervary, Evgeny Kuznetsov also missed practice due to an illness. The Russian center was sick earlier in the month, and though he didn't miss a game, he did miss practice. His status remains up in the air for Saturday.
On the plus side, Darcy Kuemper and Matthew Phillips were both back on the ice for practice on Friday and appeared fine. Kuemper sustained a lower-body injury at the end of Wednesday's skate after taking a puck to the leg area without padding. Meanwhile, Phillips had taken a maintenance day (lower-body) after having blocked a shot in the final minutes of Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Both should be clear for Saturday, though it remains uncertain who will start in goal.
Washington hosts Columbus on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
Ben Raby contributed to this report for The Hockey News.
Other injury notes: Max Pacioretty (Achilles, LTIR) continues to skate on his own and has yet to join the team for practice; Nicklas Backstrom (hip, LTIR) is unlikely to return this season, but has been around the facility. He has not skated since deciding to step away from the game.